City Comparison

Akron vs Kenosha

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Akron

Ohio
81
Very Affordable
$146,000
Median Home
$875/mo
Median Rent
$48,500
Median Income

Kenosha

Wisconsin
91
Below Average
$275,000
Median Home
$1,250/mo
Median Rent
$68,900
Median Income

The Verdict

11.0%

Living in Akron costs 11.0% less than Kenosha. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Akron, you would need $84,259 in Kenosha.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
60
Akron
82
Kenosha
Groceries
106
Akron
99
Kenosha
Utilities
80
Akron
95
Kenosha
Transportation
85
Akron
103
Kenosha
Healthcare
88
Akron
96
Kenosha

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Akron has the same purchasing power as $84,259 in Kenosha.

Conversely, $75,000 in Kenosha equals $66,758 in Akron.

Living in Akron vs Kenosha

Housing Costs

Akron's housing index of 60 is lower Kenosha's 82, translating to median home prices of $146,000 vs $275,000. The $129,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,388 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Akron compared to $1,250/mo in Kenosha, a monthly difference of $375.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Akron and 99 in Kenosha. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Akron vs $470/month in Kenosha. Kenosha offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $408/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 80 in Akron and 95 in Kenosha. Monthly utility bills average approximately $320 in Akron vs $380 in Kenosha. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 88 in Akron and 96 in Kenosha. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $48,500 in Akron and $68,900 in Kenosha. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,877 and $75,714 respectively. Kenosha residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,132/month to housing in Akron vs $1,608/month in Kenosha. In Akron, median rent of $875/mo fits within this budget. In Kenosha, median rent of $1,250/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Akron is 11.0% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 91.
A $75,000 salary in Akron has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $84,259 in Kenosha, based on the cost of living difference.
Akron's housing index is 60 with median homes at $146,000, while Kenosha's is 82 with median homes at $275,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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