City Comparison

Kenosha vs Virginia Beach

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Kenosha

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

Virginia Beach

Virginia
105
Average
$310,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$73,418
Median Income

The Verdict

13.3%

Living in Kenosha costs 13.3% less than Virginia Beach. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Kenosha, you would need $86,538 in Virginia Beach.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Kenosha
112
Virginia Beach
Groceries
99
Kenosha
100
Virginia Beach
Utilities
95
Kenosha
98
Virginia Beach
Transportation
103
Kenosha
101
Virginia Beach
Healthcare
96
Kenosha
99
Virginia Beach

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Kenosha has the same purchasing power as $86,538 in Virginia Beach.

Conversely, $75,000 in Virginia Beach equals $65,000 in Kenosha.

Living in Kenosha vs Virginia Beach

Housing Costs

Kenosha's housing index of 82 is lower Virginia Beach's 112, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $310,000. The $35,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,280 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 Virginia Beach, a monthly difference of $250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Kenosha and 100 in Virginia Beach. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Kenosha vs $475/month in Virginia Beach. 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 98 in Virginia Beach. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Kenosha vs $392 in Virginia Beach. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Kenosha and 99 in Virginia Beach. 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 $73,418 in Virginia Beach. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,714 and $69,922 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 $1,713/month in Virginia Beach. In Kenosha, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Virginia Beach, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 30 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kenosha is 13.3% more affordable overall with an index of 91 vs 105.
A $75,000 salary in Kenosha has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $86,538 in Virginia Beach, based on the cost of living difference.
Kenosha's housing index is 82 with median homes at $275,000, while Virginia Beach's is 112 with median homes at $310,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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