Kenosha vs Kent
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Kenosha
Kent
The Verdict
Living in Kenosha costs 33.6% less than Kent. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Kenosha, you would need $112,912 in Kent.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Kenosha has the same purchasing power as $112,912 in Kent.
Conversely, $75,000 in Kent equals $49,818 in Kenosha.
Living in Kenosha vs Kent
Housing Costs
Kenosha's housing index of 82 is lower Kent's 195, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $595,000. The $320,000 difference in home prices means roughly $20,796 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Kenosha compared to $1,750/mo in Kent, a monthly difference of $500.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Kenosha and 109 in Kent. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Kenosha vs $518/month in Kent. Kenosha offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Kenosha and 92 in Kent. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Kenosha vs $368 in Kent. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Kenosha and 122 in Kent. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 26-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $68,900 in Kenosha and $98,300 in Kent. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,714 and $71,752 respectively. Kenosha residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,608/month to housing in Kenosha vs $2,294/month in Kent. In Kenosha, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 113 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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