Kenosha vs Rochester
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Kenosha
Rochester
The Verdict
Living in Kenosha costs 3.2% less than Rochester. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Kenosha, you would need $77,473 in Rochester.
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 $77,473 in Rochester.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rochester equals $72,606 in Kenosha.
Living in Kenosha vs Rochester
Housing Costs
Kenosha's housing index of 82 is lower Rochester's 95, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $345,000. The $70,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,548 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Kenosha compared to $1,275/mo in Rochester, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Kenosha and 103 in Rochester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Kenosha vs $489/month in Rochester. 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 102 in Rochester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Kenosha vs $408 in Rochester. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Kenosha and 104 in Rochester. 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 $91,500 in Rochester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,714 and $97,340 respectively. Rochester 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 $2,135/month in Rochester. In Kenosha, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Rochester, median rent of $1,275/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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