C

Kenosha, WI

Source:

Affordability Score: 58/100

Population: 112,912 · 4 ZIP codes

The affordability dashboard for Kenosha, WI aggregates Census ACS 5-Year Estimates across 4 ZIP codes covering 112,912 residents, then layers in county-level federal data to produce an overall grade of C (58/100). The headline inputs are median household income of $73,477, median home value of $235,797, median rent of $1,219 per month, and 30.1% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. These four metrics alone explain most of the variance between city dashboards.

Cross-agency feeds widen the picture beyond Census demographics. HUD publishes a Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in this county at $1,402 per month (studio $1,085, 1BR $1,092, 3BR $1,899, 4BR $2,174). Department of Labor data lists infant center-based childcare at $15,236 per year, consuming 21% of the local median household income.

Reading the overall grade requires reading all seven dimensions together. The score weights Income 20%, Safety 20%, Housing 15%, Rent 15%, Education 10%, Commute 10%, and Childcare 10%, with each sub-score benchmarked against national percentiles rather than state averages — so the grade is genuinely comparable across any city in the country. Pressure points are childcare. Unemployment currently reads 4.7% and poverty 13.5% — numbers worth keeping alongside the headline grade.

Score Breakdown

Income C+
$73,477
Median household income
Education C-
30.1%
Bachelor's degree or higher
Housing C+
3.2x
Home value $235,797 vs income
Commute C
24 min
Average commute time
Rent B
$1,402/mo
2BR fair market rent (23% of income)
Safety N/A
N/A
Violent crime rate (county)
Childcare F
$15,236/yr
Center-based infant care (21% of income)

Income & Employment

Median Income
$73,477
▲ 19% vs national
Per Capita Income
$38,659
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Poverty Rate
13.5%

Housing

Median Home Value
$235,797
▼ 14% vs national
Median Rent
$1,219/mo
Owner Occupied
60.1%
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,402/mo
▲ 17% vs national

Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,085
1BR
$1,092
2BR
$1,402
3BR
$1,899
4BR
$2,174

Safety

Violent Crime Rate
Data Source
FBI UCR (county-level)

Education & Family

Bachelor's Degree+
30.1%
▲ 0 ppt vs national
High School+
57.6%
Median Age
37.5
Avg. Commute
24 min
▼ 2 min vs national

Childcare Costs

Infant (Center)
$15,236/yr
21% of income
Toddler (Center)
$13,455/yr
Preschool (Center)
$13,455/yr
School-Age (Center)
$10,660/yr

What This Means

Kenosha, WI receives an overall affordability grade of C (58/100), aggregated from 4 ZIP codes with a total population of 112,912. Challenges include childcare. Data was unavailable for safety — these dimensions were excluded from the overall score.

Nearby City Dashboards

Explore Kenosha ZIP Codes
View all 4 ZIP codes with demographics and individual scorecards
View ZIPs →

What are common questions about this dashboard?

Is Kenosha, WI affordable?
Kenosha, WI receives an overall affordability grade of C (58/100) based on Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data. Median household income is $73,477. Median home value is $235,797.
What is the cost of living in Kenosha?
Key cost metrics: Median rent $1,219/mo. 2BR fair market rent $1,402/mo. Infant childcare $15,236/yr. Median home value $235,797.
How is the affordability score calculated?
The score evaluates 7 dimensions weighted by importance: Income (20%), Safety (20%), Housing (15%), Rent (15%), Education (10%), Commute (10%), and Childcare (10%). Each metric is compared against national percentile benchmarks from Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data.

Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report. Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices. Verify with HUD →