Kenosha vs Tuscaloosa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Kenosha
Tuscaloosa
The Verdict
Living in Tuscaloosa costs 2.2% less than Kenosha. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Kenosha, you would need $73,352 in Tuscaloosa.
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 $73,352 in Tuscaloosa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tuscaloosa equals $76,685 in Kenosha.
Living in Kenosha vs Tuscaloosa
Housing Costs
Kenosha's housing index of 82 is higher Tuscaloosa's 74, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $265,000. The $10,000 difference in home prices means roughly $648 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Kenosha compared to $1,050/mo in Tuscaloosa, a monthly difference of $200.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Kenosha and 98 in Tuscaloosa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Kenosha vs $466/month in Tuscaloosa. 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 96 in Tuscaloosa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Kenosha vs $384 in Tuscaloosa. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Kenosha and 87 in Tuscaloosa. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $49,500 in Tuscaloosa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,714 and $55,618 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 $1,155/month in Tuscaloosa. In Kenosha, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Tuscaloosa, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 9 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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