Kenosha vs Racine
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Kenosha
Racine
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 3.4%, with Racine being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Kenosha has equivalent purchasing power to $72,527 in Racine.
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 $72,527 in Racine.
Conversely, $75,000 in Racine equals $77,557 in Kenosha.
Living in Kenosha vs Racine
Housing Costs
Kenosha's housing index of 82 is higher Racine's 66, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $126,000. The $149,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,684 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Kenosha compared to $1,025/mo in Racine, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Kenosha and 97 in Racine. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Kenosha vs $461/month in Racine. 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 94 in Racine. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Kenosha vs $376 in Racine. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Kenosha and 111 in Racine. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $57,700 in Racine. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,714 and $65,568 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 $1,346/month in Racine. In Kenosha, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Racine, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 16 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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