Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Kenosha, WI
VS
Newark, NJ
🏆 Kenosha leads 18 of 23 categories
Kenosha
Wisconsin
18
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,963 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
75 ✓ Safer
Population
99,493
Newark
New Jersey
5
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$46,460
Violent Crime Index
153⚠ High
Population
307,355 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Kenosha, WI
Pros
Homes cost $118k less ($194,400 vs $312,300)
51% less violent crime than Newark
Stronger job market — unemployment is 5.3 pts lower (5.4%)
Households earn $18,503 more per year on average
Rent averages $194/mo less ($1,079 vs $1,273)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Cons
Nothing stands out — a close match here.
Newark, NJ
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 39°F vs 31°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $312,300
Median income trails Kenosha by $18,503/yr
Violent crime (581.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Kenosha
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 102.6 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Kenosha
Median Income
$18,503
$64,963 vs $46,460/yr
Kenosha
Violent Crime
51% lower
285.7 vs 581.2 per 100k
Kenosha
Median Home Value
$118k less
$194,400 vs $312,300
Kenosha
Unemployment
5.3 pp lower
5.4% vs 10.7% unemployment
Newark
Summer Heat
3.0°F warmer
July avg high 86.8°F vs 83.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Kenosha, WI | Newark, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $194,400 ✓ Lower | $312,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,079 ✓ Lower | $1,273 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,963 ✓ Higher | $46,460 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 10.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.1 min ✓ Shorter | 33.0 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.4% ✓ Higher | 4.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 62 ✓ Safer | 129⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 75 ✓ Safer | 153⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 41 ✓ Safer | 93 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (99) ✓ Better | C+ (85) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.7:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 27.5% ✓ Higher | 17.0% |
| High School or Higher | 89.3% ✓ Higher | 77.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Kenosha School District | Newark Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.3°F | 39.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.8°F | 86.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.2" ✓ Drier | 50.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.2" | 28.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 99,493 | 307,355 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.3 ✓ Older | 34.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.7% ✓ Higher | 23.9% |
| Under 18 | 23.7% | 24.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 10.9% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Kenosha's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Newark's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Kenosha is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Kenosha leads 18 of 23 categories. Kenosha wins 18 and Newark wins 5. 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 Newark or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($194,400 vs $312,300 median home), income ($64,963 vs $46,460), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Kenosha, WI and Newark, NJ are about 718 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.