City Comparison

Bowling Green vs Kenosha

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bowling Green

Kentucky
85
Very Affordable
$266,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$48,900
Median Income

Kenosha

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

The Verdict

6.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 6.6%, with Bowling Green being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Bowling Green has equivalent purchasing power to $80,294 in Kenosha.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
71
Bowling Green
82
Kenosha
Groceries
95
Bowling Green
99
Kenosha
Utilities
109
Bowling Green
95
Kenosha
Transportation
80
Bowling Green
103
Kenosha
Healthcare
87
Bowling Green
96
Kenosha

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bowling Green has the same purchasing power as $80,294 in Kenosha.

Conversely, $75,000 in Kenosha equals $70,055 in Bowling Green.

Living in Bowling Green vs Kenosha

Housing Costs

Bowling Green's housing index of 71 is lower Kenosha's 82, translating to median home prices of $266,000 vs $275,000. The $9,000 difference in home prices means roughly $588 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Bowling Green compared to $1,250/mo in Kenosha, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Bowling Green and 99 in Kenosha. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Bowling Green 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 109 in Bowling Green and 95 in Kenosha. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Bowling Green 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 87 in Bowling Green and 96 in Kenosha. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $48,900 in Bowling Green and $68,900 in Kenosha. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,529 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 $1,141/month to housing in Bowling Green vs $1,608/month in Kenosha. In Bowling Green, median rent of $900/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 Transportation, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bowling Green is 6.6% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 91.
A $75,000 salary in Bowling Green has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $80,294 in Kenosha, based on the cost of living difference.
Bowling Green's housing index is 71 with median homes at $266,000, while Kenosha's is 82 with median homes at $275,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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