Kenosha vs Sterling Heights
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Kenosha
Sterling Heights
The Verdict
Kenosha is 7.1% less expensive than Sterling Heights overall. A household earning $75,000 in Kenosha would need approximately $80,769 in Sterling Heights 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 $80,769 in Sterling Heights.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sterling Heights equals $69,643 in Kenosha.
Living in Kenosha vs Sterling Heights
Housing Costs
Kenosha's housing index of 82 is lower Sterling Heights's 87, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $300,000. The $25,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,620 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Kenosha compared to $1,175/mo in Sterling Heights, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Kenosha and 99 in Sterling Heights. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Kenosha vs $470/month in Sterling Heights. 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 Sterling Heights. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Kenosha vs $408 in Sterling Heights. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Kenosha and 93 in Sterling Heights. 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 $70,100 in Sterling Heights. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,714 and $71,531 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 $1,636/month in Sterling Heights. In Kenosha, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Sterling Heights, median rent of $1,175/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 7 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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