City Comparison

Kenosha vs Rio Rancho

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Kenosha

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

Rio Rancho

New Mexico
95
Below Average
$337,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$85,800
Median Income

The Verdict

4.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 4.2%, with Kenosha being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Kenosha has equivalent purchasing power to $78,297 in Rio Rancho.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Kenosha
91
Rio Rancho
Groceries
99
Kenosha
97
Rio Rancho
Utilities
95
Kenosha
84
Rio Rancho
Transportation
103
Kenosha
92
Rio Rancho
Healthcare
96
Kenosha
99
Rio Rancho

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Kenosha has the same purchasing power as $78,297 in Rio Rancho.

Conversely, $75,000 in Rio Rancho equals $71,842 in Kenosha.

Living in Kenosha vs Rio Rancho

Housing Costs

Kenosha's housing index of 82 is lower Rio Rancho's 91, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $337,000. The $62,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,032 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 Rio Rancho, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Kenosha and 97 in Rio Rancho. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Kenosha vs $461/month in Rio Rancho. 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 84 in Rio Rancho. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Kenosha vs $336 in Rio Rancho. 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 99 in Rio Rancho. 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 $85,800 in Rio Rancho. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,714 and $90,316 respectively. Rio Rancho residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,608/month to housing in Kenosha vs $2,002/month in Rio Rancho. In Kenosha, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Rio Rancho, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 11 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kenosha is 4.2% more affordable overall with an index of 91 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Kenosha has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $78,297 in Rio Rancho, based on the cost of living difference.
Kenosha's housing index is 82 with median homes at $275,000, while Rio Rancho's is 91 with median homes at $337,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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