Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Kenosha, WI Cost of Living Comparison Between Seattle, WA and Kenosha, WI

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,598 per month in Seattle, WA vs $2,189 in Kenosha, WI, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,539 per month in Seattle, WA vs $3,235 in Kenosha, WI, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,479 per month in Seattle, WA vs $4,281 in Kenosha, WI, rent included.

Seattle, WA costs about 64% more than Kenosha, WI, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Seattle, WA and Kenosha, WI sit above the global median – Seattle, WA by 168%, Kenosha, WI by 63%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Seattle, WA
Kenosha, WI
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$24.80 $24.80
$15.11 $15.11
64.13%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$118 $118
$70.6 $70.6
66.82%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$13.77 $13.77
$10.09 $10.09
36.47%
Cappuccino
$5.71 $5.71
$5.25 $5.25
8.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.05 $3.05
$2.64 $2.64
15.53%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.50 $2.50
$1.95 $1.95
28.21%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.83 $7.83
$5.11 $5.11
53.23%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.88 $7.88
$6.83 $6.83
15.37%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Seattle, WA
Kenosha, WI
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.35 $1.35
$0.93 $0.93
45.16%
White Bread (500g)
$5.06 $5.06
$3.85 $3.85
31.43%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.39 $5.39
$2.70 $2.70
99.63%
Eggs
$6.85 $6.85
$3.92 $3.92
74.74%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$25.07 $25.07
$13.92 $13.92
80.10%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$15.85 $15.85
$8.84 $8.84
79.30%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$20.59 $20.59
$10.85 $10.85
89.77%
Apples (1kg)
$6.14 $6.14
$4.34 $4.34
41.47%
Banana (1kg)
$2.82 $2.82
$1.45 $1.45
94.48%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.51 $5.51
$1.88 $1.88
193.09%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.74 $6.74
$4.81 $4.81
40.12%
Potato (1kg)
$3.15 $3.15
$1.45 $1.45
117.24%
Onion (1kg)
$3.82 $3.82
$2.25 $2.25
69.78%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.69 $2.69
$1.27 $1.27
111.81%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.64 $2.64
$1.95 $1.95
35.38%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.65 $11.65
$10.07 $10.07
15.69%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.69 $15.69
$15.86 $15.86
-1.07%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.93 $2.93
$1.77 $1.77
65.54%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.24 $4.24
$1.11 $1.11
281.98%
🚌 Getting Around
Seattle, WA
Kenosha, WI
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.82 $2.82
$1.94 $1.94
45.36%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$100 $100
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.60 $2.60
$4.43 $4.43
-41.31%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.72 $1.72
$2.11 $2.11
-18.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.22 $30.22
$41.19 $41.19
-26.63%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.19 $1.19
$0.82 $0.82
45.12%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.7K $32.7K
$24.9K $24.9K
31.24%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1K $26.1K
$25.2K $25.2K
3.44%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Seattle, WA
Kenosha, WI
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$263 $263
$157 $157
67.70%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$60.9 $60.9
$51.6 $51.6
17.89%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$75.9 $75.9
$75.2 $75.2
0.90%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Seattle, WA
Kenosha, WI
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$79.6 $79.6
$43.26 $43.26
83.96%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$39.89 $39.89
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$16.27 $16.27
$10.07 $10.07
61.57%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Seattle, WA
Kenosha, WI
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,281 $2,281
$1,098 $1,098
107.78%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$29.3K $29.3K
$24.8K $24.8K
17.97%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Seattle, WA
Kenosha, WI
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$68.6 $68.6
$65.5 $65.5
4.81%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.0 $52.0
$48.59 $48.59
6.94%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$116 $116
$95.3 $95.3
21.46%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$143 $143
$86.0 $86.0
66.71%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Seattle, WA
Kenosha, WI
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,336 $2,336
$1,263 $1,263
84.96%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,863 $1,863
$1,098 $1,098
69.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,628 $4,628
$1,533 $1,533
201.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$3,477 $3,477
$1,768 $1,768
96.62%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,766 $7,766
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$5,232 $5,232
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Seattle, WA
Kenosha, WI
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$6,617 $6,617
$3,767 $3,767
75.65%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.42
6.53
-1.68%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Seattle, WA: May 30, 2026

Last update for Kenosha, WI: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,336 in Seattle, WA versus $1,263 in Kenosha, WI. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 76% higher in Seattle, WA, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $118 in Seattle, WA versus $71.0 in Kenosha, WI. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $547 vs $335 – making Kenosha, WI the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Seattle, WA vs Kenosha, WI: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Seattle, WA and Kenosha, WI compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $3,598 in Seattle, WA, $2,189 in Kenosha, WI – roughly 64% apart. Seattle, WA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Seattle, WA compared to Kenosha, WI?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,397 per month in Seattle, WA and $3,284 in Kenosha, WI. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Seattle, WA and Kenosha, WI?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Kenosha, WI, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $118 in Seattle, WA and $71.0 in Kenosha, WI. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 63% more in Seattle, WA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Kenosha, WI, where all-in costs run around $2,189, than in Seattle, WA at $3,598. In Kenosha, WI it covers expenses comfortably, while in Seattle, WA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Seattle, WA and Kenosha, WI?
It depends on your priorities. Seattle, WA has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,189 in Kenosha, WI to $3,598 in Seattle, WA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Seattle, WA and Kenosha, WI?
If budget matters most, go with Kenosha, WI. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Seattle, WA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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