City Comparison

Kenosha vs Worcester

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Kenosha

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

Worcester

Massachusetts
125
Expensive
$340,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$52,228
Median Income

The Verdict

27.2%

Living in Kenosha costs 27.2% less than Worcester. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Kenosha, you would need $103,022 in Worcester.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Kenosha
152
Worcester
Groceries
99
Kenosha
106
Worcester
Utilities
95
Kenosha
122
Worcester
Transportation
103
Kenosha
103
Worcester
Healthcare
96
Kenosha
115
Worcester

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Kenosha has the same purchasing power as $103,022 in Worcester.

Conversely, $75,000 in Worcester equals $54,600 in Kenosha.

Living in Kenosha vs Worcester

Housing Costs

Kenosha's housing index of 82 is lower Worcester's 152, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $340,000. The $65,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,224 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Kenosha compared to $1,600/mo in Worcester, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Kenosha and 106 in Worcester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Kenosha vs $504/month in Worcester. Kenosha offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $408/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Kenosha and 122 in Worcester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Kenosha vs $488 in Worcester. 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 115 in Worcester. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-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 $52,228 in Worcester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,714 and $41,782 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 $1,219/month in Worcester. In Kenosha, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Worcester, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 70 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kenosha is 27.2% more affordable overall with an index of 91 vs 125.
A $75,000 salary in Kenosha has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $103,022 in Worcester, based on the cost of living difference.
Kenosha's housing index is 82 with median homes at $275,000, while Worcester's is 152 with median homes at $340,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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