City Comparison

Kenosha vs Philadelphia

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Kenosha

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

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania
106
Above Average
$240,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$49,127
Median Income

The Verdict

14.2%

Living in Kenosha costs 14.2% less than Philadelphia. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Kenosha, you would need $87,363 in Philadelphia.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Kenosha
107
Philadelphia
Groceries
99
Kenosha
104
Philadelphia
Utilities
95
Kenosha
113
Philadelphia
Transportation
103
Kenosha
108
Philadelphia
Healthcare
96
Kenosha
101
Philadelphia

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Kenosha has the same purchasing power as $87,363 in Philadelphia.

Conversely, $75,000 in Philadelphia equals $64,387 in Kenosha.

Living in Kenosha vs Philadelphia

Housing Costs

Kenosha's housing index of 82 is lower Philadelphia's 107, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $240,000. The $35,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,280 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 Philadelphia, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Kenosha and 104 in Philadelphia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Kenosha vs $494/month in Philadelphia. 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 113 in Philadelphia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Kenosha vs $452 in Philadelphia. 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 101 in Philadelphia. 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 $49,127 in Philadelphia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,714 and $46,346 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 $1,146/month in Philadelphia. In Kenosha, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Philadelphia, 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 25 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kenosha is 14.2% more affordable overall with an index of 91 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Kenosha has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $87,363 in Philadelphia, based on the cost of living difference.
Kenosha's housing index is 82 with median homes at $275,000, while Philadelphia's is 107 with median homes at $240,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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