A+
10%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
23%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Green Bay Wisconsin National
Cost of living9095100
Goods & Services9599100
Groceries100100100
Health care88100100
Housing7789100
Transportation10199100
Utilities8691100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Green Bay, WI

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Green Bay is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Green Bay is 90, which is 10% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Green Bay?

Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 6 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Green Bay and this is how they responded. 50% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 50% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.

Is Green Bay Affordable?

Is Green Bay affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Green Bay, for instance, where the median home price falls 23.2% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 21% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Green Bay flaunting a median household income of $78,887, 3% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Green Bay?

Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Green Bay, the transportation index is 1.1% higher than the national average.

Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Green Bay, the housing index is 22.5% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Green Bay displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Green Bay is 6% lower than the Wisconsin average
  • The cost of living in Green Bay is 10% lower than the national average
  • Green Bay housing is 23% lower than the national average
  • Wisconsin general sales tax is 2% lower than the national average
  • Wisconsin state income tax is 36% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Green Bay

See all the best places to live around Green Bay

Compare Green Bay, WI Cost of Living

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      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$100,243$8,354$2,339$3,008
      Renters$51,534$4,295$1,202$1,546
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Green Bay, WI, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Green Bay, homeowners have a median income of $100,243. Using that number, a maximum of $2,339 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $51,534, which means there is a maximum of $1,202 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      Wisconsin Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Wisconsin 5% 6.75%

      Wisconsin Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Wisconsin 3.54% 7.65%

      Goods & Services

      Item Green Bay National avg. Difference
      Haircut $23.00$27.6216.7%
      Beauty Salon $34.00$51.1133.5%
      Toothpaste $4.12$4.090.7%
      Shampoo $1.50$1.542.7%
      Movie $14.68$12.8814.0%
      Yoga $20.11$19.662.3%

      Groceries

      Item Green Bay National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.86$7.702.0%
      Fried Chicken $1.51$1.669.2%
      Milk $4.70$4.730.7%
      Potatoes $4.82$5.268.3%
      Pizza $10.96$12.7614.1%
      Beer $9.18$10.5513.0%

      Health Care

      Item Green Bay National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $79.83$140.0643.0%
      Doctor $168.82$153.829.8%
      Dentist $122.89$123.150.2%
      Ibuprofen $11.83$11.730.8%
      Lipitor $10.20$23.6156.8%

      Housing

      Item Green Bay National avg. Difference
      Home Price $250,790.00$326,622.0023.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,276.57$2,480.258.2%
      Apartment Rent $1,141.00$1,444.0021.0%

      Transportation

      Item Green Bay National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $2.91$3.064.8%
      Tire Balancing $75.33$65.2115.5%

      Utilities

      Item Green Bay National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $176.54$220.1219.8%
      Phone $189.88$195.713.0%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Sobieski, WI4328613.7%
      Denmark, WI2,4038911.3%
      Greenleaf, WI661927.7%
      Allouez, WI14,152946.0%
      Ashwaubenon, WI17,618945.7%
      Green Bay, WI107,1449010.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Allen, TX107,54212727.1%
      League City, TX107,57111211.9%
      Burbank, CA106,56819089.8%
      Norwalk, CA107,72515252.3%
      Rialto, CA106,52413232.4%
      Green Bay, WI107,1449010.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.