City Comparison

Kenosha vs Zurich

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Kenosha

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

Zurich

Switzerland
145
Expensive
$1.2M
Median Home
$2,800/mo
Median Rent
$95,000
Median Income

The Verdict

37.2%

Living in Kenosha costs 37.2% less than Zurich. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Kenosha, you would need $119,505 in Zurich.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Kenosha
165
Zurich
Groceries
99
Kenosha
148
Zurich
Utilities
95
Kenosha
132
Zurich
Transportation
103
Kenosha
138
Zurich
Healthcare
96
Kenosha
118
Zurich

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Kenosha has the same purchasing power as $119,505 in Zurich.

Conversely, $75,000 in Zurich equals $47,069 in Kenosha.

Living in Kenosha vs Zurich

Housing Costs

Kenosha's housing index of 82 is lower Zurich's 165, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $1.2M. The $925,000 difference in home prices means roughly $60,120 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,250/mo in Kenosha compared to $2,800/mo in Zurich, a monthly difference of $1,550.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Kenosha and 148 in Zurich. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Kenosha vs $703/month in Zurich. Kenosha offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $2796/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Kenosha and 132 in Zurich. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Kenosha vs $528 in Zurich. 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 118 in Zurich. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-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 $95,000 in Zurich. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,714 and $65,517 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 $2,217/month in Zurich. In Kenosha, median rent of $1,250/mo fits within this budget. In Zurich, median rent of $2,800/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 83 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kenosha is 37.2% more affordable overall with an index of 91 vs 145.
A $75,000 salary in Kenosha has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $119,505 in Zurich, based on the cost of living difference.
Kenosha's housing index is 82 with median homes at $275,000, while Zurich's is 165 with median homes at $1.2M.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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