Kenosha vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Kenosha
Surprise
The Verdict
Living in Kenosha costs 11.7% less than Surprise. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Kenosha, you would need $84,890 in Surprise.
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 $84,890 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $66,262 in Kenosha.
Living in Kenosha vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Kenosha's housing index of 82 is lower Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $419,000. The $144,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,360 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Kenosha compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Kenosha and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Kenosha vs $475/month in Surprise. 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 Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Kenosha vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Kenosha and 97 in Surprise. 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 $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,714 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise 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 $1,995/month in Surprise. In Kenosha, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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