Erie vs Kenosha
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Erie
Kenosha
The Verdict
Erie is 11.0% less expensive than Kenosha overall. A household earning $75,000 in Erie would need approximately $84,259 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 Erie has the same purchasing power as $84,259 in Kenosha.
Conversely, $75,000 in Kenosha equals $66,758 in Erie.
Living in Erie vs Kenosha
Housing Costs
Erie's housing index of 55 is lower Kenosha's 82, translating to median home prices of $165,000 vs $275,000. The $110,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,152 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $925/mo in Erie compared to $1,250/mo in Kenosha, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Erie and 99 in Kenosha. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Erie 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 109 in Erie and 95 in Kenosha. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Erie 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 89 in Erie 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 $43,400 in Erie and $68,900 in Kenosha. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $53,580 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 $1,013/month to housing in Erie vs $1,608/month in Kenosha. In Erie, median rent of $925/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 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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