Appleton receives the higher standardized Area Score. That reflects AreaProfile's weighting, not a judgment about which place is better to live in.
Signals
Appleton
York-Hanover
Opportunity
79 · Top 12%
vs77 · Top 14%
Growth
71 · Top 17%
vs53 · Top 45%
Climate
57 · Bottom 16%
vs64 · Bottom 42%
Physical resilience
98 · Top 1%
vs83 · Top 11%
Housing affordability
99 · Top 34%
vs100 · Top 27%
Access
98 · Top 7%
vs93 · Top 19%
Economic stability
98 · Top 1%
vs92 · Top 3%
Measured values
| Metric | Appleton | York-Hanover | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,768 | 462,924 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $85,825 | $84,829 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $46,727 | $41,601 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 257/sq mi | 512/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $268,900 | $248,600 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,060 | $1,193 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 73.3% | 76.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 3.0% | 3.8% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | 0.4% | 2.9% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.8% | 27.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 6.2% | 8.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 1,469 | 1,340 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 6.0 | 2.9 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 85.9% | -21.6% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 81°F | 85°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 11°F | 21°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 31.6" | 42.1" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 8 mi | 19 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 22.0 min | 28.3 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 39.4 | 41.1 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Appleton
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
York-Hanover
Elevated or high exposure: hurricane.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Appleton
86
Your Score
83
Area Score
York-Hanover
80
Your Score
78
Area Score
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Full profiles: Appleton, WI Metro Area · York-Hanover, PA Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology