Kenosha, WI vs Waukesha, WI

Kenosha is moderately more affordable than Waukesha, with a 6.4% lower cost of living index. Kenosha scores 87 compared to 93 for Waukesha, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Waukesha can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Kenosha is $1,137/month compared to $1,183/month in Waukesha — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Kenosha is more affordable at $210,500 median vs $286,600.

Median household income in Kenosha is $68,532 compared to $81,651 in Waukesha (-16.1%). While Waukesha is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Kenosha spend roughly 19.9% of their income on rent, more than the 17.4% in Waukesha.