Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Kenosha, WI
VS
San Bernardino, CA
🏆 Kenosha leads 17 of 23 categories
Kenosha
Wisconsin
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,963 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
75 ✓ Safer
Population
99,493
San Bernardino
California
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$61,323
Violent Crime Index
236⚠ High
Population
221,041 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Kenosha, WI
Pros
Homes cost $153k less ($194,400 vs $347,100)
68% less violent crime than San Bernardino
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.2 pts lower (5.4%)
Rent averages $240/mo less ($1,079 vs $1,319)
More college-educated — 27.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Cons
Nothing stands out — a close match here.
San Bernardino, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 31°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $347,100
Violent crime (897.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2897.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.6% vs 5.4%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Kenosha
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 102.6 vs 107.9 (100 = US avg)
Kenosha
Median Income
$3,640
$64,963 vs $61,323/yr
Kenosha
Violent Crime
68% lower
285.7 vs 897.1 per 100k
Kenosha
Median Home Value
$153k less
$194,400 vs $347,100
Kenosha
Unemployment
2.2 pp lower
5.4% vs 7.6% unemployment
San Bernardino
Summer Heat
11.6°F warmer
July avg high 95.4°F vs 83.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Kenosha, WI | San Bernardino, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 107.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $194,400 ✓ Lower | $347,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,079 ✓ Lower | $1,319 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,963 ✓ Higher | $61,323 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.1 min ✓ Shorter | 28.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.4% ✓ Higher | 5.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 62 ✓ Safer | 197⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 75 ✓ Safer | 236⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 41 ✓ Safer | 138⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (99) ✓ Better | C (81) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.7:1 ✓ Smaller | 20.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 27.5% ✓ Higher | 12.8% |
| High School or Higher | 89.3% ✓ Higher | 72.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Kenosha School District | San Bernardino City Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.3°F | 66.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.8°F | 95.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.2" | 21.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.2" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 99,493 | 221,041 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.3 ✓ Older | 31.2 |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.7% ✓ Higher | 48.9% |
| Under 18 | 23.7% | 27.9% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 9.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Kenosha's cost of living index is 102.6 vs San Bernardino's 107.9 (US average = 100).
Kenosha is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Kenosha leads 17 of 23 categories. Kenosha wins 17 and San Bernardino wins 6. 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 San Bernardino or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($194,400 vs $347,100 median home), income ($64,963 vs $61,323), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Kenosha, WI and San Bernardino, CA are about 1,687 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.