Johnson City vs Kenosha
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Johnson City
Kenosha
The Verdict
Johnson City is 6.6% less expensive than Kenosha overall. A household earning $75,000 in Johnson City would need approximately $80,294 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 Johnson City has the same purchasing power as $80,294 in Kenosha.
Conversely, $75,000 in Kenosha equals $70,055 in Johnson City.
Living in Johnson City vs Kenosha
Housing Costs
Johnson City's housing index of 66 is lower Kenosha's 82, translating to median home prices of $276,000 vs $275,000. The $1,000 difference in home prices means roughly $60 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Johnson City compared to $1,250/mo in Kenosha, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Johnson City and 99 in Kenosha. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Johnson City 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 95 in Johnson City and 95 in Kenosha. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Johnson City vs $380 in Kenosha. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 94 in Johnson City 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 $55,400 in Johnson City and $68,900 in Kenosha. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,176 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 $1,293/month to housing in Johnson City vs $1,608/month in Kenosha. In Johnson City, 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 Housing, where the gap is 16 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases