City Comparison

Kenosha vs Lafayette

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Kenosha

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

Lafayette

Louisiana
90
Below Average
$214,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$61,900
Median Income

The Verdict

1.1%

Living in Lafayette costs 1.1% less than Kenosha. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Kenosha, you would need $74,176 in Lafayette.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Kenosha
73
Lafayette
Groceries
99
Kenosha
96
Lafayette
Utilities
95
Kenosha
97
Lafayette
Transportation
103
Kenosha
96
Lafayette
Healthcare
96
Kenosha
80
Lafayette

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Kenosha has the same purchasing power as $74,176 in Lafayette.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lafayette equals $75,833 in Kenosha.

Living in Kenosha vs Lafayette

Housing Costs

Kenosha's housing index of 82 is higher Lafayette's 73, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $214,000. The $61,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,960 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Kenosha compared to $1,100/mo in Lafayette, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Kenosha and 96 in Lafayette. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Kenosha vs $456/month in Lafayette. 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 Kenosha and 97 in Lafayette. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Kenosha vs $388 in Lafayette. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Kenosha and 80 in Lafayette. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-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 $61,900 in Lafayette. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,714 and $68,778 respectively. Kenosha residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,608/month to housing in Kenosha vs $1,444/month in Lafayette. In Kenosha, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Lafayette, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 16 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lafayette is 1.1% more affordable overall with an index of 90 vs 91.
A $75,000 salary in Kenosha has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $74,176 in Lafayette, based on the cost of living difference.
Kenosha's housing index is 82 with median homes at $275,000, while Lafayette's is 73 with median homes at $214,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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