Kenosha vs Montpelier
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Kenosha
Montpelier
The Verdict
Kenosha is 22.2% less expensive than Montpelier overall. A household earning $75,000 in Kenosha would need approximately $96,429 in Montpelier 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 Kenosha has the same purchasing power as $96,429 in Montpelier.
Conversely, $75,000 in Montpelier equals $58,333 in Kenosha.
Living in Kenosha vs Montpelier
Housing Costs
Kenosha's housing index of 82 is lower Montpelier's 131, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $375,000. 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 $1,400/mo in Montpelier, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Kenosha and 104 in Montpelier. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Kenosha vs $494/month in Montpelier. 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 123 in Montpelier. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Kenosha vs $492 in Montpelier. 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 107 in Montpelier. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $82,600 in Montpelier. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,714 and $70,598 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 $1,927/month in Montpelier. In Kenosha, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Montpelier, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 49 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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