Kenosha vs Milwaukee

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 $75,824 in Milwaukee.

Conversely, $75,000 in Milwaukee equals $74,185 in Kenosha.

Living in Kenosha vs Milwaukee

Housing Costs

Kenosha's housing index of 82 is higher Milwaukee's 80, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $175,000. The $100,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,504 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 Milwaukee, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Kenosha and 100 in Milwaukee. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Kenosha vs $475/month in Milwaukee. 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 Milwaukee. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Kenosha vs $388 in Milwaukee. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Kenosha and 102 in Milwaukee. 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 $68,900 in Kenosha and $44,044 in Milwaukee. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,714 and $47,874 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 $1,028/month in Milwaukee. In Kenosha, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Milwaukee, median rent of $1,100/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 6 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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