City Comparison

Kenosha vs Washington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Kenosha

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

Washington

District of Columbia
152
Very Expensive
$580,000
Median Home
$2,300/mo
Median Rent
$90,842
Median Income

The Verdict

40.1%

Living in Kenosha costs 40.1% less than Washington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Kenosha, you would need $125,275 in Washington.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Kenosha
226
Washington
Groceries
99
Kenosha
108
Washington
Utilities
95
Kenosha
118
Washington
Transportation
103
Kenosha
109
Washington
Healthcare
96
Kenosha
105
Washington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Kenosha has the same purchasing power as $125,275 in Washington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Washington equals $44,901 in Kenosha.

Living in Kenosha vs Washington

Housing Costs

Kenosha's housing index of 82 is lower Washington's 226, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $580,000. The $305,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,824 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Kenosha compared to $2,300/mo in Washington, a monthly difference of $1,050.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Kenosha and 108 in Washington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Kenosha vs $513/month in Washington. Kenosha offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Kenosha and 118 in Washington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Kenosha vs $472 in Washington. 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 105 in Washington. 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 $90,842 in Washington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,714 and $59,764 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 $2,120/month in Washington. In Kenosha, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Washington, median rent of $2,300/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 144 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kenosha is 40.1% more affordable overall with an index of 91 vs 152.
A $75,000 salary in Kenosha has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $125,275 in Washington, based on the cost of living difference.
Kenosha's housing index is 82 with median homes at $275,000, while Washington's is 226 with median homes at $580,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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