City Comparison

Kenosha vs Rapid City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Kenosha

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

Rapid City

South Dakota
98
Average
$325,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$70,900
Median Income

The Verdict

7.1%

Living in Kenosha costs 7.1% less than Rapid City. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Kenosha, you would need $80,769 in Rapid City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Kenosha
91
Rapid City
Groceries
99
Kenosha
102
Rapid City
Utilities
95
Kenosha
87
Rapid City
Transportation
103
Kenosha
102
Rapid City
Healthcare
96
Kenosha
107
Rapid City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Kenosha has the same purchasing power as $80,769 in Rapid City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Rapid City equals $69,643 in Kenosha.

Living in Kenosha vs Rapid City

Housing Costs

Kenosha's housing index of 82 is lower Rapid City's 91, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $325,000. The $50,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,252 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Kenosha compared to $1,100/mo in Rapid City, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Kenosha and 102 in Rapid City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Kenosha vs $485/month in Rapid City. 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 87 in Rapid City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Kenosha vs $348 in Rapid City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Kenosha and 107 in Rapid City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $70,900 in Rapid City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,714 and $72,347 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 $1,654/month in Rapid City. In Kenosha, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Rapid City, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 11 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kenosha is 7.1% more affordable overall with an index of 91 vs 98.
A $75,000 salary in Kenosha has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $80,769 in Rapid City, based on the cost of living difference.
Kenosha's housing index is 82 with median homes at $275,000, while Rapid City's is 91 with median homes at $325,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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