Kenosha vs Waterbury
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Kenosha
Waterbury
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 4.2%, with Kenosha being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Kenosha has equivalent purchasing power to $78,297 in Waterbury.
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 $78,297 in Waterbury.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waterbury equals $71,842 in Kenosha.
Living in Kenosha vs Waterbury
Housing Costs
Kenosha's housing index of 82 is higher Waterbury's 80, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $280,000. The $5,000 difference in home prices means roughly $324 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Kenosha compared to $1,200/mo in Waterbury, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Kenosha and 101 in Waterbury. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Kenosha vs $480/month in Waterbury. 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 118 in Waterbury. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Kenosha vs $472 in Waterbury. 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 99 in Waterbury. 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 $48,700 in Waterbury. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,714 and $51,263 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 $1,136/month in Waterbury. In Kenosha, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Waterbury, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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