City Comparison

Brownsville vs Kenosha

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Brownsville

Texas
75
Very Affordable
$155,000
Median Home
$875/mo
Median Rent
$52,100
Median Income

Kenosha

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

The Verdict

17.6%

Brownsville is 17.6% less expensive than Kenosha overall. A household earning $75,000 in Brownsville would need approximately $91,000 in Kenosha to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
58
Brownsville
82
Kenosha
Groceries
87
Brownsville
99
Kenosha
Utilities
79
Brownsville
95
Kenosha
Transportation
84
Brownsville
103
Kenosha
Healthcare
92
Brownsville
96
Kenosha

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Brownsville has the same purchasing power as $91,000 in Kenosha.

Conversely, $75,000 in Kenosha equals $61,813 in Brownsville.

Living in Brownsville vs Kenosha

Housing Costs

Brownsville's housing index of 58 is lower Kenosha's 82, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $275,000. The $120,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,800 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $875/mo in Brownsville compared to $1,250/mo in Kenosha, a monthly difference of $375.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 87 in Brownsville and 99 in Kenosha. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $413/month in Brownsville vs $470/month in Kenosha. Brownsville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 79 in Brownsville and 95 in Kenosha. Monthly utility bills average approximately $316 in Brownsville 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 92 in Brownsville 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 $52,100 in Brownsville and $68,900 in Kenosha. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,467 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 $1,216/month to housing in Brownsville vs $1,608/month in Kenosha. In Brownsville, 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 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brownsville is 17.6% more affordable overall with an index of 75 vs 91.
A $75,000 salary in Brownsville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $91,000 in Kenosha, based on the cost of living difference.
Brownsville's housing index is 58 with median homes at $155,000, while Kenosha's is 82 with median homes at $275,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases