City Comparison

Brooklyn vs Kenosha

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Brooklyn

New York
195
Very Expensive
$780,000
Median Home
$2,900/mo
Median Rent
$65,294
Median Income

Kenosha

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

The Verdict

114.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 114.3%, with Kenosha being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Brooklyn has equivalent purchasing power to $35,000 in Kenosha.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
325
Brooklyn
82
Kenosha
Groceries
108
Brooklyn
99
Kenosha
Utilities
135
Brooklyn
95
Kenosha
Transportation
108
Brooklyn
103
Kenosha
Healthcare
108
Brooklyn
96
Kenosha

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Brooklyn has the same purchasing power as $35,000 in Kenosha.

Conversely, $75,000 in Kenosha equals $160,714 in Brooklyn.

Living in Brooklyn vs Kenosha

Housing Costs

Brooklyn's housing index of 325 is higher Kenosha's 82, translating to median home prices of $780,000 vs $275,000. The $505,000 difference in home prices means roughly $32,820 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,900/mo in Brooklyn compared to $1,250/mo in Kenosha, a monthly difference of $1,650.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 108 in Brooklyn and 99 in Kenosha. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Brooklyn vs $470/month in Kenosha. Kenosha offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 135 in Brooklyn and 95 in Kenosha. Monthly utility bills average approximately $540 in Brooklyn 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 108 in Brooklyn and 96 in Kenosha. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $65,294 in Brooklyn and $68,900 in Kenosha. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $33,484 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 $1,524/month to housing in Brooklyn vs $1,608/month in Kenosha. In Brooklyn, median rent of $2,900/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 243 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kenosha is 114.3% more affordable overall with an index of 91 vs 195.
A $75,000 salary in Brooklyn has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $35,000 in Kenosha, based on the cost of living difference.
Brooklyn's housing index is 325 with median homes at $780,000, while Kenosha's is 82 with median homes at $275,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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