States › Wisconsin › Kenosha

Is Kenosha, WI expensive to live in?

OKRent takes 24 cents of every $1 people earn here.
🏠 Rent per month (2026)$1,54712% lower than U.S. average
💵 Families earn per year (2026)$76,831about $6,403/month · 12% lower than U.S. average
🔑 House price$225,20032% lower than U.S. average

Kenosha is the 4th-largest city in Wisconsin that we track, with 99,372 residents. Rent is lower than in 55% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards.

How much money do I need?

To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $61,880 a year. That is $30 an hour at a full-time job.

Is rent cheaper than other Wisconsin cities?

No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Wisconsin. It is number 105 of 156 cities from cheapest to most expensive.

Kenosha
$1,547
$1,307
$1,193
$1,374
$1,553
$1,156

How much do households earn in Kenosha?

Under $25k
12.6%
$25k–50k
24.0%
$50k–100k
33.9%
$100k–150k
17.9%
$150k+
6.6%

Share of households by yearly income. 24.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.

Rent by apartment size in Kenosha

SizeKenoshaU.S. average
Studio$1,276$1,338
1 bedroom$1,089$1,324
2 bedrooms$1,283$1,509
3 bedrooms$1,638$1,698
4 bedrooms$1,875$2,098

Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.

How expensive is Kenosha overall?

Everyday prices in the Kenosha metro area are 1% above the U.S. average (index 101.1, U.S. = 100).

Housing
96
Goods (food, clothes…)
106
Utilities
86
Other services
100
U.S. average
100

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.

Taxes and bills in Kenosha

🏛️ Property tax$3,839a year · 1.70% of home value · U.S. $3,119
⚡ Electric bill$158a month (typical) · U.S. $156

Life in Kenosha

Commute to work23.6 minU.S.: 26.4 min
College degree29%U.S.: 35.7%
Own their home58.7%U.S.: 65.2%
Below poverty line13.7%U.S.: 12.5%
Unemployment4.5%U.S.: 5.2%

What jobs pay in Kenosha

JobMedian payRent / pay
Pharmacist$139,35013.3%
Physician Assistant$135,80013.7%
Nurse Practitioner$132,21014.0%
Software Developer$130,33014.2%
Lawyer$108,42017.1%
Operations Manager$106,31017.5%
Computer Systems Analyst$98,05018.9%
Dental Hygienist$96,62019.2%
Civil Engineer$95,09019.5%
Registered Nurse$83,11022.3%
Accountant$78,84023.5%
Police Officer$78,78023.6%
Plumber$77,34024.0%
Electrician$74,97024.8%
Market Research Analyst$70,69026.3%
Licensed Practical Nurse$65,35028.4%
Truck Driver$61,61030.1%
HVAC Technician$61,26030.3%
Elementary School Teacher$60,53030.7%
Carpenter$60,12030.9%
Medical Assistant$49,62037.4%
Customer Service Representative$48,36038.4%
Warehouse Worker$46,99039.5%
Firefighter$46,85039.6%
Nursing Assistant$46,22040.2%
Restaurant Cook$36,73050.5%
Retail Salesperson$33,58055.3%
Cashier$32,38057.3%
Server (Waiter/Waitress)$29,48063.0%

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Kenosha?

About the same. Renting and owning cost within $16 of each other each month.

Renting
$1,547
Owning
$1,563

Owning assumes a typical $225,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $22,520 for the down payment.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in Kenosha, WI?

Renting in Kenosha costs a median of about $1,547 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Wisconsin median is $1,305.

How much do I need to make to live in Kenosha?

To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $61,880 a year, or $30 an hour at a full-time job.

Is Kenosha cheap or expensive?

Kenosha is rated OK: rent takes 24.2% of the typical household income of $76,831. It ranks 105th cheapest of 156 Wisconsin cities we track.

How much are property taxes in Kenosha?

The median homeowner in Kenosha pays $3,839 a year in property taxes, about 1.70% of the median home value.

Is Kenosha more expensive than the national average?

Overall prices in the metro area are 1% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

How much does a house cost in Kenosha?

The median home value in Kenosha is $225,200, about 2.9 times the typical yearly household income.

99,372 people live in Kenosha. Numbers are typical (middle) values.