Fayetteville vs Kenosha
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fayetteville
Kenosha
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 1.1%, with Fayetteville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fayetteville has equivalent purchasing power to $75,833 in Kenosha.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Fayetteville has the same purchasing power as $75,833 in Kenosha.
Conversely, $75,000 in Kenosha equals $74,176 in Fayetteville.
Living in Fayetteville vs Kenosha
Housing Costs
Fayetteville's housing index of 94 is higher Kenosha's 82, translating to median home prices of $332,000 vs $275,000. The $57,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,708 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Fayetteville compared to $1,250/mo in Kenosha, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Fayetteville and 99 in Kenosha. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Fayetteville vs $470/month in Kenosha. Fayetteville offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Fayetteville and 95 in Kenosha. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Fayetteville vs $380 in Kenosha. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 78 in Fayetteville and 96 in Kenosha. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $59,100 in Fayetteville and $68,900 in Kenosha. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,667 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 $1,379/month to housing in Fayetteville vs $1,608/month in Kenosha. In Fayetteville, median rent of $1,025/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 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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