Kenosha vs Rockford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Kenosha
Rockford
The Verdict
Rockford is 15.2% less expensive than Kenosha overall. A household earning $75,000 in Kenosha would need approximately $65,110 in Rockford to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $65,110 in Rockford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rockford equals $86,392 in Kenosha.
Living in Kenosha vs Rockford
Housing Costs
Kenosha's housing index of 82 is higher Rockford's 52, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $155,000. 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 $950/mo in Rockford, a monthly difference of $300.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Kenosha and 99 in Rockford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Kenosha vs $470/month in Rockford. 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 92 in Rockford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Kenosha vs $368 in Rockford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Kenosha and 106 in Rockford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $53,300 in Rockford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,714 and $67,468 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 $1,244/month in Rockford. In Kenosha, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Rockford, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 30 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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