City Comparison

Kenosha vs Stamford

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Kenosha

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

Stamford

Connecticut
158
Very Expensive
$580,000
Median Home
$2,400/mo
Median Rent
$95,272
Median Income

The Verdict

42.4%

Living in Kenosha costs 42.4% less than Stamford. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Kenosha, you would need $130,220 in Stamford.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Kenosha
232
Stamford
Groceries
99
Kenosha
110
Stamford
Utilities
95
Kenosha
128
Stamford
Transportation
103
Kenosha
107
Stamford
Healthcare
96
Kenosha
114
Stamford

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Kenosha has the same purchasing power as $130,220 in Stamford.

Conversely, $75,000 in Stamford equals $43,196 in Kenosha.

Living in Kenosha vs Stamford

Housing Costs

Kenosha's housing index of 82 is lower Stamford's 232, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $580,000. The $305,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,824 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Kenosha compared to $2,400/mo in Stamford, a monthly difference of $1,150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Kenosha and 110 in Stamford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Kenosha vs $523/month in Stamford. Kenosha offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $636/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Kenosha and 128 in Stamford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Kenosha vs $512 in Stamford. 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 114 in Stamford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-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 $95,272 in Stamford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,714 and $60,299 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 $2,223/month in Stamford. In Kenosha, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Stamford, median rent of $2,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 150 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kenosha is 42.4% more affordable overall with an index of 91 vs 158.
A $75,000 salary in Kenosha has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $130,220 in Stamford, based on the cost of living difference.
Kenosha's housing index is 82 with median homes at $275,000, while Stamford's is 232 with median homes at $580,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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