City Comparison

Harrisburg vs Kenosha

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Harrisburg

Pennsylvania
90
Below Average
$145,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$46,200
Median Income

Kenosha

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

The Verdict

1.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 1.1%, with Harrisburg being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Harrisburg has equivalent purchasing power to $75,833 in Kenosha.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
65
Harrisburg
82
Kenosha
Groceries
96
Harrisburg
99
Kenosha
Utilities
102
Harrisburg
95
Kenosha
Transportation
102
Harrisburg
103
Kenosha
Healthcare
84
Harrisburg
96
Kenosha

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Harrisburg has the same purchasing power as $75,833 in Kenosha.

Conversely, $75,000 in Kenosha equals $74,176 in Harrisburg.

Living in Harrisburg vs Kenosha

Housing Costs

Harrisburg's housing index of 65 is lower Kenosha's 82, translating to median home prices of $145,000 vs $275,000. The $130,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,448 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Harrisburg compared to $1,250/mo in Kenosha, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Harrisburg and 99 in Kenosha. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Harrisburg 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 102 in Harrisburg and 95 in Kenosha. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Harrisburg vs $380 in Kenosha. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 84 in Harrisburg and 96 in Kenosha. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $46,200 in Harrisburg and $68,900 in Kenosha. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $51,333 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 $1,078/month to housing in Harrisburg vs $1,608/month in Kenosha. In Harrisburg, median rent of $1,100/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Harrisburg is 1.1% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 91.
A $75,000 salary in Harrisburg has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $75,833 in Kenosha, based on the cost of living difference.
Harrisburg's housing index is 65 with median homes at $145,000, while Kenosha's is 82 with median homes at $275,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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