Kenosha vs North Charleston
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Kenosha
North Charleston
The Verdict
Kenosha is 10.8% less expensive than North Charleston overall. A household earning $75,000 in Kenosha would need approximately $84,066 in North Charleston 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 $84,066 in North Charleston.
Conversely, $75,000 in North Charleston equals $66,912 in Kenosha.
Living in Kenosha vs North Charleston
Housing Costs
Kenosha's housing index of 82 is lower North Charleston's 102, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $347,000. The $72,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,680 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Kenosha compared to $1,525/mo in North Charleston, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Kenosha and 101 in North Charleston. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Kenosha vs $480/month in North Charleston. 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 120 in North Charleston. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Kenosha vs $480 in North Charleston. 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 86 in North Charleston. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $61,400 in North Charleston. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,714 and $60,196 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 $1,433/month in North Charleston. In Kenosha, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In North Charleston, median rent of $1,525/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 25 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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