City Comparison

Asheville vs Kenosha

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Asheville

North Carolina
108
Above Average
$360,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$48,534
Median Income

Kenosha

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

The Verdict

18.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 18.7%, with Kenosha being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Asheville has equivalent purchasing power to $63,194 in Kenosha.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
120
Asheville
82
Kenosha
Groceries
103
Asheville
99
Kenosha
Utilities
95
Asheville
95
Kenosha
Transportation
100
Asheville
103
Kenosha
Healthcare
106
Asheville
96
Kenosha

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Asheville has the same purchasing power as $63,194 in Kenosha.

Conversely, $75,000 in Kenosha equals $89,011 in Asheville.

Living in Asheville vs Kenosha

Housing Costs

Asheville's housing index of 120 is higher Kenosha's 82, translating to median home prices of $360,000 vs $275,000. The $85,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,520 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Asheville compared to $1,250/mo in Kenosha, a monthly difference of $250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Asheville and 99 in Kenosha. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Asheville vs $470/month in Kenosha. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Asheville and 95 in Kenosha. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Asheville vs $380 in Kenosha. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Asheville and 96 in Kenosha. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $48,534 in Asheville and $68,900 in Kenosha. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $44,939 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 Asheville vs $1,608/month in Kenosha. In Asheville, median rent of $1,500/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 38 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kenosha is 18.7% more affordable overall with an index of 91 vs 108.
A $75,000 salary in Asheville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $63,194 in Kenosha, based on the cost of living difference.
Asheville's housing index is 120 with median homes at $360,000, while Kenosha's is 82 with median homes at $275,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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