2027 MNM LIVABILITY INDEX

Kenosha

Wisconsin (WI)
Best for: Households wanting a Lake Michigan setting and access to the southeast Wisconsin region
Kenosha WI 2027 livability
Small City
2027 CITY CLASSSmall City25,000–99,999 residents
Modern Livability76.0/ 100
AT A GLANCE

Everyday numbers

Population99,239
Median Home$225,200
Median Rent$1,186
Median Household Income$71,239
Cost of LivingRPP 101.1 (US=100; BEA 2024; metro area)
Average Commute23.6 min (ACS 2020-2024)
Unemployment4.5% (ACS 2020-2024; civilian labor force)
Metro AreaKenosha, WI
2027 MODERN LIVABILITY SCORECARD

How this city actually lives

Twelve dimensions capture both hard data and the everyday experience traditional lists tend to miss.

76.0overall
Housing & Financial Reality90.0

Housing burden, taxes, insurance, utilities and what local incomes actually buy.

Ease of Living83.0

Errands, commute friction, parking, services and the effort required for daily life.

Safety & Stability69.0

Personal, neighborhood, road and environmental stability.

Economic Opportunity69.0

Jobs, wages, career mobility, employer diversity and economic resilience.

Health & Wellness81.0

Healthcare access, activity, mental wellness, healthy food and environmental health.

Beauty & Sense of Place83.0

Scenery, architecture, trees, cleanliness, public realm and distinct sense of place.

Mobility & Congestion69.0

Traffic delay, commute reliability, walking, cycling and transit usefulness.

Nature & Escape81.0

Trails, water, mountains, parks, public lands and how easily residents can escape.

Diversity & Belonging80.0

Diversity, integration, accessibility, newcomer friendliness and community connection.

Climate & Environment49.0

Comfortable weather, air quality, severe weather and environmental exposure.

Community & Culture77.0

Restaurants, arts, events, third places, recreation and social life.

Infrastructure & Connectivity78.0

Broadband, utilities, airport, highways, transit and essential connectivity.

THE THINGS OLD-SCHOOL LISTS MISS

What daily life feels like

Traffic / CongestionACS average one-way commute: 23.6 minutes (2020-2024, excluding workers at home). Workplace location and departure time still determine individual travel. This is a commute measure, not a live traffic-delay index.
Weekend EscapeCounty trails and local parks add walking, cycling and outdoor recreation options. Regional trips depend on travel time and seasonal conditions.
WalkabilityCitywide Walk Score 49/100 (directory checked October 2026). Many errands require a car; selected centers may be more walkable.
Airport AccessMilwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) is a regional air-travel option. Check the airport for current destinations; no drive-time estimate is assumed.
Outdoor AccessCounty trails and local parks add walking, cycling and outdoor recreation options.
Healthcare AccessAurora Medical Center - Kenosha provides a local or nearby hospital option. Check insurance networks, service availability and specialist access individually.
Air QualityAir quality changes by day and season. Check AirNow for local ozone and fine-particle conditions, particularly during heat or smoke events; no citywide annual AQI rating is assigned here.
Third Places / Social LifeKenosha's parks and recreation facilities provide public gathering spaces. An established lakefront city with older neighborhoods and suburban districts farther inland. The mix of libraries, cafes and community activities varies by neighborhood.
EDITORIAL VIEW

More than a number

Trajectory: Broadly stable: -0.2% population change from 2024 to 2025 (same Census vintage). This describes population only, not a forecast.
WHY IT STANDS OUT

Why we chose it

Kenosha has 99,239 residents in the Census Bureau's July 1, 2025 estimate and is #346 in the incorporated-place population ranking used for this batch. The ACS 2020-2024 estimates report a median owner-occupied home value of $225,200, median monthly gross rent of $1,186, and median household income of $71,239. These are survey-period estimates, not current listings or asking rents. County trails and local parks add walking, cycling and outdoor recreation options. Livability scores are provisional editorial assessments for review, not official Census ratings.

REAL LIFE

What living here actually feels like

An established lakefront city with older neighborhoods and suburban districts farther inland.

STRENGTHS

Where it shines

Median home value below four times median household income; Access to Aurora Medical Center - Kenosha; County trails and local parks add walking, cycling and outdoor recreation options.

TRADEOFFS

Where it falls short

Cold winters; cross-region commute distances; older housing; neighborhood-dependent convenience.

ALL 2027 RANKINGS

Where Kenosha ranks