Moving from Appleton, WI to Oshkosh, WI
About 3,512 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020), and 3,185 go the other way. Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in Oshkosh, WI.
Single, $70k: line by line
Single adult earning $70,000, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (1 bedroom). Taxes take 20.8% of income in Appleton, WI and 20.8% in Oshkosh, WI.
Appleton, WI Oshkosh, WI (monthly)
| Monthly | Appleton, WI | Oshkosh, WI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,214 | $1,214 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $221 | $221 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $4,619 | $4,619 | $0 |
| Housing | $986 | $936 | −$50 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $986 | $936 | −$50 |
| Food | $413 | $413 | $0 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 93.8 | $413 | $413 | $0 |
| Transportation | $164 | $164 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $4.11/gal (Midwest (PADD)) | $164 | $164 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $23 | $23 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 5% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $23 | $23 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $966 | $966 | $0 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 93.8 | $469 | $469 | $0 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 99.4 | $497 | $497 | $0 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $2,066 | $2,116 | +$50 |
Family of four, $120k: line by line
Two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child, $120,000 combined, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms), center-based childcare in current dollars. Taxes take 16.5% of income in Appleton, WI and 16.5% in Oshkosh, WI.
Appleton, WI Oshkosh, WI (monthly)
| Monthly | Appleton, WI | Oshkosh, WI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,651 | $1,651 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law · after $4,400 Child Tax Credit | $470 | $470 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $765 | $765 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $416 | $416 | $0 |
| Take-home pay | $8,349 | $8,349 | $0 |
| Housing | $1,256 | $1,195 | −$61 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,256 | $1,195 | −$61 |
| Childcare | $2,092 | $2,457 | +$364 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2022 · preschool $259/wk, school-age $205/wk (2022 prices, Winnebago County, WI); × 1.2224 BLS CPI day care, 2022 to 2026-08 | $2,092 | $2,457 | +$364 |
| Food | $1,203 | $1,203 | $0 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 93.8 | $1,203 | $1,203 | $0 |
| Transportation | $329 | $329 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $4.11/gal (Midwest (PADD)) | $329 | $329 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $23 | $23 | $0 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 5% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $23 | $23 | $0 |
| Other goods & services | $966 | $966 | $0 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 93.8 | $469 | $469 | $0 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 99.4 | $497 | $497 | $0 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $2,480 | $2,177 | −$303 |
Appleton, WI vs Oshkosh, WI at a glance
| Measure | Appleton, WI | Oshkosh, WI |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 92.4 | 92.9 |
| Housing price level | 70.8 | 74.4 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $986 | $936 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,256 | $1,195 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,739 | $1,609 |
| Median home value | $268,900 | $225,800 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 1.38% | 1.63% |
| Median household income | $85,825 | $74,925 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $236 | $293 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | None in our data | None in our data |
| State sales tax | 5% | 5% |
| Regular gasoline | $4.11 | $4.11 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $121 | $121 |
Sources: BEA RPP 2024; HUD FMR FY2027; Census ACS 2020-2024; DOL NDCP 2022; 2026 tax law; state revenue departments; EIA (electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05).
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to make in Oshkosh, WI to keep my Appleton, WI lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in Appleton, WI, about $69,069 in Oshkosh, WI (−1.3%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $124,916. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is Oshkosh, WI cheaper than Appleton, WI?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, Oshkosh, WI is at 92.9 and Appleton, WI at 92.4 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have +$50 a month in Oshkosh, WI.
How many people move from Appleton, WI to Oshkosh, WI?+
About 3,512 people a year (±611), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020); about 3,185 move the other way.
What isn’t included?+
Moving costs, health insurance, car payments and insurance, local sales tax add-ons and differences in wages between the two metros. Add known monthly costs in the calculator’s “Fixed costs / month” field.