Elgin vs Kenosha
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Elgin
Kenosha
The Verdict
Kenosha is 4.4% less expensive than Elgin overall. A household earning $75,000 in Elgin would need approximately $71,842 in Kenosha to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Elgin has the same purchasing power as $71,842 in Kenosha.
Conversely, $75,000 in Kenosha equals $78,297 in Elgin.
Living in Elgin vs Kenosha
Housing Costs
Elgin's housing index of 89 is higher Kenosha's 82, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $275,000. The $4,000 difference in home prices means roughly $264 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Elgin compared to $1,250/mo in Kenosha, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Elgin and 99 in Kenosha. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Elgin 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 89 in Elgin and 95 in Kenosha. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Elgin vs $380 in Kenosha. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 105 in Elgin and 96 in Kenosha. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $90,300 in Elgin and $68,900 in Kenosha. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $95,053 and $75,714 respectively. Elgin residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,107/month to housing in Elgin vs $1,608/month in Kenosha. In Elgin, 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 Healthcare, where the gap is 9 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases