City Comparison

Kenosha vs Olympia

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Kenosha

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

Olympia

Washington
112
Above Average
$495,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$81,300
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 Olympia.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Kenosha
131
Olympia
Groceries
99
Kenosha
105
Olympia
Utilities
95
Kenosha
91
Olympia
Transportation
103
Kenosha
129
Olympia
Healthcare
96
Kenosha
124
Olympia

Salary Equivalence

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

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

Living in Kenosha vs Olympia

Housing Costs

Kenosha's housing index of 82 is lower Olympia's 131, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $495,000. The $220,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,304 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Kenosha compared to $1,600/mo in Olympia, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Kenosha and 105 in Olympia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Kenosha vs $499/month in Olympia. Kenosha offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Kenosha and 91 in Olympia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Kenosha vs $364 in Olympia. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Kenosha and 124 in Olympia. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 28-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 $81,300 in Olympia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,714 and $72,589 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 $1,897/month in Olympia. In Kenosha, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Olympia, median rent of $1,600/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

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 Olympia, based on the cost of living difference.
Kenosha's housing index is 82 with median homes at $275,000, while Olympia's is 131 with median homes at $495,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases