City Comparison

Kenosha vs Trenton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Kenosha

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

Trenton

New Jersey
97
Average
$203,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$44,400
Median Income

The Verdict

6.2%

Kenosha is 6.2% less expensive than Trenton overall. A household earning $75,000 in Kenosha would need approximately $79,945 in Trenton to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Kenosha
71
Trenton
Groceries
99
Kenosha
102
Trenton
Utilities
95
Kenosha
109
Trenton
Transportation
103
Kenosha
113
Trenton
Healthcare
96
Kenosha
96
Trenton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Kenosha has the same purchasing power as $79,945 in Trenton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Trenton equals $70,361 in Kenosha.

Living in Kenosha vs Trenton

Housing Costs

Kenosha's housing index of 82 is higher Trenton's 71, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $203,000. The $72,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,680 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Kenosha compared to $1,100/mo in Trenton, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Kenosha and 102 in Trenton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Kenosha vs $485/month in Trenton. 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 109 in Trenton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Kenosha vs $436 in Trenton. 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 96 in Trenton. 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 $44,400 in Trenton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,714 and $45,773 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 $1,036/month in Trenton. In Kenosha, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Trenton, median rent of $1,100/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kenosha is 6.2% more affordable overall with an index of 91 vs 97.
A $75,000 salary in Kenosha has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $79,945 in Trenton, based on the cost of living difference.
Kenosha's housing index is 82 with median homes at $275,000, while Trenton's is 71 with median homes at $203,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases