City Comparison

Kenosha vs Portland

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Kenosha

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

Portland

Maine
117
Above Average
$395,000
Median Home
$1,700/mo
Median Rent
$56,895
Median Income

The Verdict

22.2%

Living in Kenosha costs 22.2% less than Portland. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Kenosha, you would need $96,429 in Portland.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Kenosha
137
Portland
Groceries
99
Kenosha
107
Portland
Utilities
95
Kenosha
111
Portland
Transportation
103
Kenosha
98
Portland
Healthcare
96
Kenosha
110
Portland

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Kenosha has the same purchasing power as $96,429 in Portland.

Conversely, $75,000 in Portland equals $58,333 in Kenosha.

Living in Kenosha vs Portland

Housing Costs

Kenosha's housing index of 82 is lower Portland's 137, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $395,000. The $120,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,800 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Kenosha compared to $1,700/mo in Portland, a monthly difference of $450.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Kenosha and 107 in Portland. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Kenosha vs $508/month in Portland. Kenosha offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Kenosha and 111 in Portland. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Kenosha vs $444 in Portland. 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 110 in Portland. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $56,895 in Portland. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,714 and $48,628 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 $1,328/month in Portland. In Kenosha, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Portland, median rent of $1,700/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 55 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kenosha is 22.2% more affordable overall with an index of 91 vs 117.
A $75,000 salary in Kenosha has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $96,429 in Portland, based on the cost of living difference.
Kenosha's housing index is 82 with median homes at $275,000, while Portland's is 137 with median homes at $395,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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