City Comparison

Jackson vs Kenosha

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Jackson

Mississippi
82
Very Affordable
$125,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$36,528
Median Income

Kenosha

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

The Verdict

9.9%

Living in Jackson costs 9.9% less than Kenosha. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Jackson, you would need $83,232 in Kenosha.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
56
Jackson
82
Kenosha
Groceries
95
Jackson
99
Kenosha
Utilities
86
Jackson
95
Kenosha
Transportation
97
Jackson
103
Kenosha
Healthcare
88
Jackson
96
Kenosha

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Jackson has the same purchasing power as $83,232 in Kenosha.

Conversely, $75,000 in Kenosha equals $67,582 in Jackson.

Living in Jackson vs Kenosha

Housing Costs

Jackson's housing index of 56 is lower Kenosha's 82, translating to median home prices of $125,000 vs $275,000. The $150,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,756 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Jackson compared to $1,250/mo in Kenosha, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Jackson and 99 in Kenosha. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Jackson 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 86 in Jackson and 95 in Kenosha. Monthly utility bills average approximately $344 in Jackson vs $380 in Kenosha. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 88 in Jackson 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 $36,528 in Jackson and $68,900 in Kenosha. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $44,546 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 $852/month to housing in Jackson vs $1,608/month in Kenosha. In Jackson, median rent of $900/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 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Jackson is 9.9% more affordable overall with an index of 82 vs 91.
A $75,000 salary in Jackson has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $83,232 in Kenosha, based on the cost of living difference.
Jackson's housing index is 56 with median homes at $125,000, while Kenosha's is 82 with median homes at $275,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases