City Comparison

Carson City vs Kenosha

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Carson City

Nevada
109
Above Average
$538,000
Median Home
$1,325/mo
Median Rent
$72,400
Median Income

Kenosha

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

The Verdict

19.8%

Kenosha is 19.8% less expensive than Carson City overall. A household earning $75,000 in Carson City would need approximately $62,615 in Kenosha to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
135
Carson City
82
Kenosha
Groceries
103
Carson City
99
Kenosha
Utilities
82
Carson City
95
Kenosha
Transportation
108
Carson City
103
Kenosha
Healthcare
95
Carson City
96
Kenosha

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Carson City has the same purchasing power as $62,615 in Kenosha.

Conversely, $75,000 in Kenosha equals $89,835 in Carson City.

Living in Carson City vs Kenosha

Housing Costs

Carson City's housing index of 135 is higher Kenosha's 82, translating to median home prices of $538,000 vs $275,000. The $263,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,100 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,325/mo in Carson City compared to $1,250/mo in Kenosha, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Carson City and 99 in Kenosha. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Carson City 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 82 in Carson City and 95 in Kenosha. Monthly utility bills average approximately $328 in Carson City 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 95 in Carson City 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 $72,400 in Carson City and $68,900 in Kenosha. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $66,422 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 $1,689/month to housing in Carson City vs $1,608/month in Kenosha. In Carson City, median rent of $1,325/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 53 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kenosha is 19.8% more affordable overall with an index of 91 vs 109.
A $75,000 salary in Carson City has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $62,615 in Kenosha, based on the cost of living difference.
Carson City's housing index is 135 with median homes at $538,000, while Kenosha's is 82 with median homes at $275,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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