The Kenosha WI real estate market remains active heading into fall 2026. August data shows continued year-over-year home value growth, more than 200 homes available for sale in the city, and homes going pending relatively quickly. Buyers have choices, but desirable and appropriately priced properties can still attract significant attention.
What Is Happening in the Kenosha WI Housing Market?
Kenosha continues to stand out as an active housing market in southeastern Wisconsin.
According to Zillow, the typical Kenosha home value was $284,850 as of August 31, 2026, up 6.6 percent from a year earlier. Zillow reported 232 homes for sale in the city and 100 new listings during August. Homes were going pending in a median of 17 days.
Redfin's August data provides another view of the market. It reported a median sale price of approximately $304,800, up 9.6 percent year over year.
Realtor.com reported an August median listing price of $329,900, up 8.79 percent compared with a year earlier.
Those figures are not contradictory. They measure different things. Zillow's Home Value Index estimates typical home values, Redfin reports sale-price data, and Realtor.com's figure reflects asking prices.
Together, they point toward a Kenosha market where prices remain higher than they were a year ago and buyer activity remains significant.
Are Kenosha Home Prices Still Increasing?
Several current measurements show year-over-year increases.
Zillow's typical Kenosha home value of $284,850 was 6.6 percent higher than a year earlier as of August 31.
Redfin reported an August median sale price of $304,798, approximately 9.6 percent higher year over year.
Realtor.com reported a median listing price of $329,900 in August, an increase of 8.79 percent from the previous year.
It is important for buyers and sellers to understand the difference between home value, listing price and sale price. They answer different questions and should not be used interchangeably.
For an individual homeowner, citywide statistics also cannot determine what a particular property is worth. Location, property type, size, condition, improvements, lot characteristics and recent comparable sales can all influence value.
How Much Inventory Is Available in Kenosha?
Inventory has improved from some of the extremely tight conditions buyers experienced in recent years, but supply remains an important part of the Kenosha market.
Zillow reported 232 properties for sale within Kenosha as of August 31, along with 100 new listings during the month.
That is useful context when compared with our July 2026 Kenosha housing market update, when local data showed active listings increasing while buyer activity was also rising.
More listings do not automatically mean that every buyer has abundant choices.
Inventory can vary substantially by price range, property type and location. A buyer looking for a particular style of home within a narrow price range may encounter a much tighter market than the citywide inventory number suggests.
That is why we encourage buyers to look at the market segment that actually applies to their search rather than relying only on a citywide statistic.
How Active Are Kenosha Home Buyers?
Current data suggests buyers remain engaged.
Zillow reported a median of 17 days from listing to pending in Kenosha as of August 31. Its most recent sale-to-list data, for July, showed a median sale-to-list ratio of 1.018, meaning the median sale price was approximately 101.8 percent of the final list price.
Zillow also reported that 63.3 percent of July sales closed above the final list price.
Redfin's August data showed a sale-to-list ratio of 100.6 percent and reported that approximately half of homes sold above list price.
These numbers do not mean every Kenosha home will receive multiple offers or sell above asking price. They do show why buyers should pay close attention when an appropriately priced home that fits their needs reaches the market.
How Quickly Are Kenosha Homes Selling?
There is no single number that perfectly captures market speed because different data providers calculate market time differently.
Zillow reported a median of 17 days to pending as of August 31.
Redfin reported a median of approximately 37 days on market in its August data.
The important takeaway is not to compare those numbers as though they measure exactly the same thing. Instead, buyers and sellers should recognize that many Kenosha properties continue to move through the market relatively quickly.
For buyers, preparation matters.
Understanding financing, establishing a comfortable budget and knowing your priorities before the right property appears can make the home search more manageable. Our Wisconsin home buying timeline explains the major steps buyers can expect from preparation through closing.
Kenosha Is Getting National Attention From Home Buyers
Kenosha's buyer activity is not only visible in local statistics.
Realtor.com's August 2026 Hottest Housing Markets report placed the Kenosha metro area second among the markets included in its national ranking.
The Realtor.com methodology considers market demand and the pace at which listings move. Its August data showed Kenosha listings receiving substantial shopper attention relative to national levels.
A national ranking should not determine whether someone buys or sells a home. It does, however, provide additional context for the buyer activity we are seeing in the local numbers.
Why Kenosha's Location Matters
Real estate is local, but Kenosha occupies an unusual regional position.
The city sits along Lake Michigan in southeastern Wisconsin and is close to the Illinois state line. That makes the Kenosha area relevant not only to Wisconsin residents but also to people comparing housing options on both sides of the border.
Our Living in Kenosha WI relocation guide takes a broader look at housing, transportation, parks, recreation, the lakefront and other considerations for people researching a move to the area.
For people considering a move north or south across the state line, our guide to moving between Illinois and Wisconsin also explains some of the differences buyers and sellers should consider.
What Does the Current Market Mean for Kenosha Buyers?
Buyers have more information and more inventory to evaluate than they did during some periods of extremely limited supply, but preparation remains important.
A few practical considerations:
• Establish a comfortable total housing budget before beginning your search.
• Get financing questions answered before competing for a property.
• Watch new listings closely if your search criteria are narrow.
• Compare recent sales instead of relying only on asking prices.
• Evaluate the condition, taxes, location and property-specific expenses of each home.
• Do not assume every property requires the same offer strategy.
The fact that many homes are selling close to or above asking price does not mean a buyer should automatically offer above list price. The appropriate strategy depends on the property, comparable sales, competition, financing and the buyer's individual circumstances.
What Does the Current Market Mean for Kenosha Sellers?
Current price trends and buyer activity are encouraging for homeowners considering a sale, but a strong overall market does not eliminate the importance of preparation and pricing.
Buyers can compare listings quickly online. A home that enters the market at a price unsupported by its condition or comparable sales may receive a different response from one that is positioned appropriately.
Presentation also matters.
Professional photography, property preparation, accurate information and a coordinated launch can help buyers understand a home's features when it first reaches the market.
Our guide explaining how we prepare and market a home for sale provides a closer look at our listing process.
City of Kenosha and Kenosha County Are Not the Same Market
One detail that is easy to overlook is the difference between Kenosha city statistics and Kenosha County statistics.
Kenosha County includes communities and housing markets beyond the City of Kenosha, including Pleasant Prairie, Bristol, Somers and other areas.
For example, Zillow's August data showed a typical home value of $337,519 across Kenosha County compared with $284,850 within the City of Kenosha.
That difference is one reason we avoid applying a countywide statistic to an individual Kenosha property.
Even within the city, housing conditions can vary considerably by neighborhood, property type, size and price range.
The Star Home Team's Perspective
The current Kenosha numbers tell us something important: buyers are getting more opportunities, but demand has not disappeared.
That creates a market where both sides of a transaction benefit from looking beyond broad headlines.
For buyers, the important question is not simply whether Kenosha is competitive. It is how competitive the homes matching your particular budget and criteria are right now.
For sellers, the question is not simply whether prices are higher than last year. It is how your home compares with the properties buyers can choose from today.
The Star Home Team serves Kenosha County and communities throughout Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. We monitor current listings, pending activity, comparable sales and local market conditions so our clients can make decisions using current information.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Kenosha WI Real Estate Market
What is the average home price in Kenosha WI?
There is no single "average price" that represents every home. Zillow reported a typical Kenosha home value of $284,850 as of August 31, 2026. Redfin reported an August median sale price of approximately $304,800, while Realtor.com reported a median listing price of $329,900. Each measures something different.
Are Kenosha WI home prices going up?
Current data shows year-over-year increases. Zillow reported Kenosha's typical home value up 6.6 percent year over year as of August 31, while Redfin reported the August median sale price up 9.6 percent compared with a year earlier. Individual property values can perform differently from citywide trends.
How many homes are for sale in Kenosha WI?
Zillow reported 232 homes for sale within Kenosha as of August 31, 2026, with 100 new listings added during August. Inventory changes continually, and availability can differ substantially depending on price range, property type and location.
How fast are homes selling in Kenosha WI?
Zillow reported a median 17 days to pending as of August 31, 2026. Redfin's August data showed a median market time of approximately 37 days. The providers use different methodologies, but both indicate that buyers should be prepared to act when an appropriate property becomes available.
Are Kenosha homes selling above asking price?
Some are. Zillow reported that 63.3 percent of Kenosha sales in July 2026 closed above their final list price. Redfin reported that approximately half of August sales were above list price. Results vary by property, condition, location, price and competition.
Is there more housing inventory in Kenosha now?
Inventory remains an important market factor. Zillow reported 232 properties for sale in Kenosha at the end of August. Earlier local data through July had also shown an increase in active listings. However, the amount of meaningful choice available to an individual buyer depends on that buyer's price range and property requirements.
Is Kenosha still attracting strong buyer interest?
Current indicators suggest meaningful buyer activity. Homes were going pending in a median of 17 days according to Zillow's August data, and Realtor.com placed the Kenosha metro area second in its August 2026 Hottest Housing Markets report based on its measures of demand and market pace.
Should I buy or sell a home in Kenosha now?
That depends on your goals, finances, timing and the specific part of the market that applies to you. Buyers should evaluate current inventory and total ownership costs. Sellers should review recent comparable sales, competing listings and their property's condition before deciding on timing or pricing.
What Comes Next for the Kenosha Housing Market?
No one can know exactly what Kenosha home prices or inventory will do next.
New listings, mortgage rates, economic conditions, buyer demand and seasonal patterns can all influence the market.
What we can measure is what is happening now.
Heading into fall 2026, Kenosha continues to show year-over-year home value growth, active buyer interest and a market where well-positioned properties can move quickly.
If you are considering buying or selling in Kenosha, the most useful next step is to look at the specific market segment that applies to you.
Sources
Zillow
"Kenosha, WI Housing Market"
Data updated August 31, 2026
https://www.zillow.com/home-values/39220/kenosha-wi/
Zillow
"Kenosha County, WI Housing Market"
Data updated August 31, 2026
https://www.zillow.com/home-values/1837/kenosha-county-wi/
Redfin
"Kenosha, WI Housing Market"
August 2026 data
https://www.redfin.com/city/9959/WI/Kenosha/housing-market
Realtor.com Economic Research
"Kenosha, WI Housing Market & Rental Trends"
August 2026 data
https://www.realtor.com/local/market/wisconsin/kenosha-county/kenosha
Realtor.com Economic Research
"August 2026 Hottest Housing Markets"
September 2026
https://www.realtor.com/research/august-2026-hottest-housing-markets/
About the Author
Susan Starwalt is the Broker Owner of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes and The Star Home Team, serving Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. Licensed since 1998, Susan works alongside Jim Starwalt and the company's management team to support one of the region's top-producing real estate organizations.
The Star Home Team has helped more than 4,000 families buy and sell homes and is recognized as one of Illinois' leading real estate teams. The team serves buyers and sellers throughout Lake County, McHenry County, Kenosha County, and surrounding communities, providing expert guidance, local market knowledge, innovative marketing, and personalized service.
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