City Comparison

Kenosha vs Stockton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Kenosha

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

Stockton

California
114
Above Average
$400,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$54,658
Median Income

The Verdict

20.2%

Living in Kenosha costs 20.2% less than Stockton. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Kenosha, you would need $93,956 in Stockton.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Kenosha
126
Stockton
Groceries
99
Kenosha
101
Stockton
Utilities
95
Kenosha
108
Stockton
Transportation
103
Kenosha
111
Stockton
Healthcare
96
Kenosha
101
Stockton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Kenosha has the same purchasing power as $93,956 in Stockton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Stockton equals $59,868 in Kenosha.

Living in Kenosha vs Stockton

Housing Costs

Kenosha's housing index of 82 is lower Stockton's 126, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $400,000. The $125,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,124 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Kenosha compared to $1,500/mo in Stockton, a monthly difference of $250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Kenosha and 101 in Stockton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Kenosha vs $480/month in Stockton. 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 108 in Stockton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Kenosha vs $432 in Stockton. 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 101 in Stockton. 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 $54,658 in Stockton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,714 and $47,946 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 $1,275/month in Stockton. In Kenosha, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Stockton, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 44 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kenosha is 20.2% more affordable overall with an index of 91 vs 114.
A $75,000 salary in Kenosha has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $93,956 in Stockton, based on the cost of living difference.
Kenosha's housing index is 82 with median homes at $275,000, while Stockton's is 126 with median homes at $400,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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