City Comparison

Cranston vs Kenosha

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Cranston

Rhode Island
109
Above Average
$395,000
Median Home
$1,375/mo
Median Rent
$90,200
Median Income

Kenosha

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

The Verdict

19.8%

Living in Kenosha costs 19.8% less than Cranston. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Cranston, you would need $62,615 in Kenosha.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
135
Cranston
82
Kenosha
Groceries
103
Cranston
99
Kenosha
Utilities
113
Cranston
95
Kenosha
Transportation
93
Cranston
103
Kenosha
Healthcare
110
Cranston
96
Kenosha

Salary Equivalence

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

Conversely, $75,000 in Kenosha equals $89,835 in Cranston.

Living in Cranston vs Kenosha

Housing Costs

Cranston's housing index of 135 is higher Kenosha's 82, translating to median home prices of $395,000 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: $1,375/mo in Cranston compared to $1,250/mo in Kenosha, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Cranston and 99 in Kenosha. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Cranston 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 113 in Cranston and 95 in Kenosha. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in Cranston 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 110 in Cranston and 96 in Kenosha. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $90,200 in Cranston and $68,900 in Kenosha. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,752 and $75,714 respectively. Cranston residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,105/month to housing in Cranston vs $1,608/month in Kenosha. In Cranston, median rent of $1,375/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 Cranston has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $62,615 in Kenosha, based on the cost of living difference.
Cranston's housing index is 135 with median homes at $395,000, 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