Boulder vs Kenosha
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Boulder
Kenosha
The Verdict
Living in Kenosha costs 62.6% less than Boulder. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Boulder, you would need $46,115 in Kenosha.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Boulder has the same purchasing power as $46,115 in Kenosha.
Conversely, $75,000 in Kenosha equals $121,978 in Boulder.
Living in Boulder vs Kenosha
Housing Costs
Boulder's housing index of 230 is higher Kenosha's 82, translating to median home prices of $750,000 vs $275,000. The $475,000 difference in home prices means roughly $30,876 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,300/mo in Boulder compared to $1,250/mo in Kenosha, a monthly difference of $1,050.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 107 in Boulder and 99 in Kenosha. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $508/month in Boulder vs $470/month in Kenosha. Kenosha offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Boulder and 95 in Kenosha. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Boulder vs $380 in Kenosha. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Boulder 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 $73,123 in Boulder and $68,900 in Kenosha. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,407 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 $1,706/month to housing in Boulder vs $1,608/month in Kenosha. In Boulder, median rent of $2,300/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 148 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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