City Comparison

Champaign vs Kenosha

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Champaign

Illinois
81
Very Affordable
$215,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$56,100
Median Income

Kenosha

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

The Verdict

11.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 11.0%, with Champaign being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Champaign has equivalent purchasing power to $84,259 in Kenosha.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
83
Champaign
82
Kenosha
Groceries
98
Champaign
99
Kenosha
Utilities
106
Champaign
95
Kenosha
Transportation
99
Champaign
103
Kenosha
Healthcare
90
Champaign
96
Kenosha

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Champaign has the same purchasing power as $84,259 in Kenosha.

Conversely, $75,000 in Kenosha equals $66,758 in Champaign.

Living in Champaign vs Kenosha

Housing Costs

Champaign's housing index of 83 is higher Kenosha's 82, translating to median home prices of $215,000 vs $275,000. The $60,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,900 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Champaign compared to $1,250/mo in Kenosha, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Champaign and 99 in Kenosha. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Champaign 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 106 in Champaign and 95 in Kenosha. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Champaign 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 90 in Champaign 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 $56,100 in Champaign and $68,900 in Kenosha. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,259 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 $1,309/month to housing in Champaign vs $1,608/month in Kenosha. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/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 Utilities, where the gap is 11 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Champaign is 11.0% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 91.
A $75,000 salary in Champaign has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $84,259 in Kenosha, based on the cost of living difference.
Champaign's housing index is 83 with median homes at $215,000, while Kenosha's is 82 with median homes at $275,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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