City Comparison

Kenosha vs Modesto

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Kenosha

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

Modesto

California
112
Above Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$55,138
Median Income

The Verdict

18.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 18.7%, with Kenosha being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Kenosha has equivalent purchasing power to $92,308 in Modesto.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Kenosha
121
Modesto
Groceries
99
Kenosha
100
Modesto
Utilities
95
Kenosha
108
Modesto
Transportation
103
Kenosha
111
Modesto
Healthcare
96
Kenosha
100
Modesto

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Kenosha has the same purchasing power as $92,308 in Modesto.

Conversely, $75,000 in Modesto equals $60,938 in Kenosha.

Living in Kenosha vs Modesto

Housing Costs

Kenosha's housing index of 82 is lower Modesto's 121, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $380,000. The $105,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,828 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Kenosha compared to $1,400/mo in Modesto, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Kenosha and 100 in Modesto. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Kenosha vs $475/month in Modesto. 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 108 in Modesto. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Kenosha vs $432 in Modesto. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Kenosha and 100 in Modesto. 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 $55,138 in Modesto. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,714 and $49,230 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 $1,287/month in Modesto. In Kenosha, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Modesto, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 39 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kenosha is 18.7% more affordable overall with an index of 91 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Kenosha has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $92,308 in Modesto, based on the cost of living difference.
Kenosha's housing index is 82 with median homes at $275,000, while Modesto's is 121 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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