Kenosha vs Wilmington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Kenosha
Wilmington
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 11.7%, with Kenosha being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Kenosha has equivalent purchasing power to $84,890 in Wilmington.
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 $84,890 in Wilmington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $66,262 in Kenosha.
Living in Kenosha vs Wilmington
Housing Costs
Kenosha's housing index of 82 is lower Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $320,000. The $45,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,928 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Kenosha compared to $1,400/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Kenosha and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Kenosha vs $480/month in Wilmington. 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 94 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Kenosha vs $376 in Wilmington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Kenosha and 106 in Wilmington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,714 and $47,021 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 $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Kenosha, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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