City Comparison

Fargo vs Kenosha

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fargo

North Dakota
93
Below Average
$260,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$55,218
Median Income

Kenosha

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

The Verdict

2.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 2.2%, with Kenosha being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fargo has equivalent purchasing power to $73,387 in Kenosha.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
80
Fargo
82
Kenosha
Groceries
98
Fargo
99
Kenosha
Utilities
92
Fargo
95
Kenosha
Transportation
99
Fargo
103
Kenosha
Healthcare
105
Fargo
96
Kenosha

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fargo has the same purchasing power as $73,387 in Kenosha.

Conversely, $75,000 in Kenosha equals $76,648 in Fargo.

Living in Fargo vs Kenosha

Housing Costs

Fargo's housing index of 80 is lower Kenosha's 82, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $275,000. The $15,000 difference in home prices means roughly $972 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Fargo compared to $1,250/mo in Kenosha, a monthly difference of $250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Fargo and 99 in Kenosha. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Fargo 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 92 in Fargo and 95 in Kenosha. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Fargo vs $380 in Kenosha. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 105 in Fargo 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 $55,218 in Fargo and $68,900 in Kenosha. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,374 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 $1,288/month to housing in Fargo vs $1,608/month in Kenosha. In Fargo, median rent of $1,000/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

Kenosha is 2.2% more affordable overall with an index of 91 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Fargo has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $73,387 in Kenosha, based on the cost of living difference.
Fargo's housing index is 80 with median homes at $260,000, while Kenosha's is 82 with median homes at $275,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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