Kenosha vs Phoenix
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Kenosha
Phoenix
💡 The Verdict
Kenosha is 11% cheaper than Phoenix overall. A $75,000 salary in Kenosha is equivalent to $84,270 in Phoenix.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Kenosha (left) vs Phoenix (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Kenosha versus Phoenix. Differences shown from Kenosha perspective.
| Item | Kenosha | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $900/mo | $1,000/mo | $-100.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,270/mo | $1,400/mo | $-130.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,630/mo | $1,860/mo | $-230.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.48 | $2.60 | $-0.12 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.50 | $3.75 | $-0.25 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $2.96 | $3.26 | $-0.30 |
| Coffee (latte) | $4.88 | $6.48 | $-1.60 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.00 | $3.31 | $-0.31 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14.61 | $15.67 | $-1.06 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Kenosha has the same purchasing power as $84,270 in Phoenix.
Conversely, $75,000 in Phoenix equals $66,750 in Kenosha.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $2100 difference is driven by Wisconsin having a higher state income tax rate. Wisconsin details → · Arizona details →
Reading These Numbers: Kenosha (89) vs Phoenix (100)
Kenosha at 89 is 11% below the US average, while Phoenix at 100 is 0% below average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
In Kenosha, the composite index of 89 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 93, followed by groceries (86), utilities (76), transportation (85), and healthcare (88). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,270/mo in Kenosha and $1,400/mo in Phoenix, the annual rent difference is approximately $1,560.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $7,800.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $51,000.0 difference in median home prices between Kenosha and Phoenix translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Kenosha vs Phoenix
Choosing between Kenosha and Phoenix involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
When weighing Kenosha against Phoenix, think beyond the composite index. Your personal savings rate, retirement timeline, and family size all influence which cost categories dominate your budget. Someone spending sixty percent of income on housing and childcare will experience these two cities very differently than a single renter whose largest variable expense is dining out. Model your own spending breakdown against the category indices above for the most realistic comparison.