Living in Kenosha, WI
Kenosha is the 346th-largest city in the US, home to about 99,000 people in 2025. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (101.1 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 99,239-0.8% since 2020
- Median home value
- $225,2003.2 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,186/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $71,239median, per year
- Price level
- 101.1US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 31° / 80°lows 17° / 64°
- Average commute
- 24 min10% work from home
- State income tax
- 7.65%top rate, graduated
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County: Kenosha County
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Elevation: about 604 ft
Metro area: Kenosha, WI
Cost of living in Kenosha
The median home in Kenosha is worth $225,200 and the median household earns $71,239 a year, so a typical home costs about 3.2 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,186 a month, about 20% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Kenosha, WI metro area at 101.1, with housing at 95.8 and goods at 106.2 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $75,800 here. Wisconsin taxes wages at a top rate of 7.65%. The average combined state and local sales tax in Wisconsin is 5.72%.
What would my salary be worth in Kenosha?
Kenosha weather
Average highs run from 31°F in January to 80°F in July, and January nights average 17°F. It gets 38 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 36 inches of snow. Nights drop below freezing about 122 times a year. The most comfortable months are May to September.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Kenosha
People and work
The median resident is 37.1 years old, and 29% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 59% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 24 minutes; 10% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 37.1316th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 29%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 59%of households
- People per sq mile
- 3,41429.1 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 1%1% walk, 0.2% bike
- Unemployment
- 4.5%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 13.7%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1970median year
Who moves to Kenosha, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Phoenix (Maricopa County), San Diego (San Diego County) and Las Vegas (Clark County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Phoenix (Maricopa County), Cape Coral (Lee County) and Las Vegas (Clark County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA rating for Kenosha County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: tornado, strong wind, lightning, cold wave.
Home prices
+8.4% in a year
Up 54% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Kenosha, WI area, 2026 Q2.
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Kenosha
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- American Family Field 31 miles
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 34 miles
- Marquette University 32 miles
- Carthage College 3 miles
- University of Wisconsin-Parkside 5 miles
- Milwaukee School of Engineering 32 miles
- Lake Forest College 23 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Kenosha
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport MKE | 25 mi | 3,104,054 |
| O'Hare International Airport ORD | 42 mi | 38,575,693 |
| Midway International Airport MDW | 55 mi | 10,360,093 |
| Chicago Rockford International Airport RFD | 70 mi | 132,154 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Kenosha
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Parkside | 5 mi | 2,844 | $11,233 | 41% |
| Carthage College | 3 mi | 2,660 | $26,444 | 66% |
| Lake Forest College | 23 mi | 1,813 | $24,987 | 73% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Kenosha
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before April 19, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around October 17 and the first frost comes around October 26.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Kenosha, WI, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Kenosha.
Wildfire smoke in Kenosha
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Kenosha on about 131 days a year, including about 37 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Kenosha
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 40,333 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Kenosha
Downtown Kenosha is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenosha School District | Pre-K to 12 | 18,315 | 33 | 14.7 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Racine School District (15,781 students), Antioch Community High School District 117 (2,647 students), Antioch Community Consolidated School District 34 (2,574 students), Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 (2,533 students), Zion Elementary School District 6 (2,176 students), Beach Park Community Consolidated School District 3 (1,996 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Kenosha's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Kenosha's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Albany, NY77% matchCompare
- New Britain, CT77% matchCompare
- Waterbury, CT76% matchCompare
- Hartford, CT72% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Kenosha
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Kenosha
- Wilmot Mountain 19 miles
- Alpine Valley Resort 32 miles
- Little Switzerland 57 miles
- Mulligan's Hollow Ski Bowl 87 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Kenosha
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Homes are affordable for locals: the median home costs 3.2 years of median household income, lower than in three quarters of the cities we cover.
Cons
- Nothing stands out in the data. Locals, what should newcomers know?
Kenosha report card from locals
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Kenosha through locals' eyes
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Cities near Kenosha
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Racine, WI | 10 mi | 77,908 | $166,500 | 96.0 | Compare |
| Waukegan, IL | 15 mi | 87,940 | $190,900 | 103.6 | Compare |
| Milwaukee, WI | 32 mi | 562,407 | $184,000 | 96.9 | Compare |
| Arlington Heights, IL | 35 mi | 76,216 | $414,500 | 103.6 | Compare |
| Evanston, IL | 38 mi | 76,380 | $481,200 | 103.6 | Compare |
| Schaumburg, IL | 40 mi | 77,249 | $330,400 | 103.6 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Kenosha with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Kenosha a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show homes that cost under four years of median income. Compare Kenosha side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Kenosha?
The Census Bureau estimates Kenosha had 99,239 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 100,008 in April 2020 (-0.8%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Kenosha?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $75,800 in the Kenosha area. The median household here earns $71,239.
When is the best time to visit Kenosha?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, May to September are the most comfortable months. July averages 80°F and January 31°F for daytime highs.
What county is Kenosha in?
Kenosha is in Kenosha County, Wisconsin. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Kenosha in?
Kenosha is on Central Time (UTC-6, or UTC-5 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Kenosha?
About 604 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Wisconsin have a state income tax?
Yes. Wisconsin has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 7.65% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Kenosha. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Kenosha, WI metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Kenosha, WI station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.