Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Kenosha, WI
VS
Modesto, CA
🏆 Kenosha leads 14 of 23 categories
Kenosha
Wisconsin
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,963
Violent Crime Index
75 ✓ Safer
Population
99,493
Modesto
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,375 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High
Population
218,308 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Kenosha, WI
Pros
Homes cost $187k less ($194,400 vs $381,800)
56% less violent crime than Modesto
Rent averages $418/mo less ($1,079 vs $1,497)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.4 pts lower (5.4%)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 27.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Modesto by $8,412/yr
Modesto, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 31°F
Households earn $8,412 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $381,800
Higher rents — median is $1,497/mo
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 5.4%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Kenosha
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 102.6 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
Kenosha
Violent Crime
56% lower
285.7 vs 655.7 per 100k
Kenosha
Median Home Value
$187k less
$194,400 vs $381,800
Kenosha
Unemployment
2.4 pp lower
5.4% vs 7.8% unemployment
Modesto
Median Income
$8,412
$73,375 vs $64,963/yr
Modesto
Summer Heat
11.2°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 83.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Kenosha, WI | Modesto, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 105.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $194,400 ✓ Lower | $381,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,079 ✓ Lower | $1,497⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,963 | $73,375 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.1 min ✓ Shorter | 29.4 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.4% | 6.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 62 ✓ Safer | 150⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 75 ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 41 ✓ Safer | 115⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (99) ✓ Better | C- (65) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.7:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 27.5% ✓ Higher | 19.7% |
| High School or Higher | 89.3% ✓ Higher | 83.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Kenosha School District | Modesto City Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.3°F | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.8°F | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.2" | 12.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.2" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 99,493 | 218,308 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.3 ✓ Older | 34.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.7% ✓ Higher | 57.7% |
| Under 18 | 23.7% | 26.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 13.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Kenosha's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Modesto's 105.0 (US average = 100).
Kenosha is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Kenosha leads 14 of 23 categories. Kenosha wins 14 and Modesto wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Kenosha to Modesto or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($194,400 vs $381,800 median home), income ($64,963 vs $73,375), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Kenosha, WI and Modesto, CA are about 1,772 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.