Is Green Bay expensive to live in?

Green Bay is among the more affordable of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $730 per month ranks #111 of 112 and is 32% lower than the $1,080 median.

What is the average rent in Green Bay?

Average rent in Green Bay, WI runs a studio around $707, a one-bedroom around $730, a two-bedroom around $956, a three-bedroom around $1,287 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Green Bay?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $730 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year. The median household income here is $62,546.

How much does it cost to live in Green Bay per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Green Bay is about $920 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Cost of Living in Green Bay, WI

Population 106,585 · Wisconsin

~$920/mo est.1BR $730Home $191,500

Photo: Gary Meulemans / Unsplash

Compare with:

The cost of living in Green Bay, WI is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $730 a month — 32% lower than the $1,080 median across the 112 large US cities we track. Studios average $707 and two-bedrooms $956.

Median household income here is $62,546, 10% lower than the $69,423 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $920 before food and transport. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $730

Studio

$707

1 Bedroom

$730

2 Bedroom

$956

3 Bedroom

$1,287

Buying a Home$191,500

Median Home Value

$191,500

Income$62,546

Median Household Income

$62,546

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,940

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesMidwest

Milk (gal)

$4.31

Bread (lb)

$1.66

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

Average prices, Midwest (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities19.7¢/kWh

Electricity

19.7¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$11.79/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-05-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$3.94/gal

Regular Gasoline (Midwest (PADD 2))

$3.94/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-17.

State Taxes (WI)5% sales

State Sales Tax

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 7.65%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime501.7 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

501.7

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

1,331.2

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Green Bay Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 35.7 yrs

Median Age

35.7 yrs

Homeownership

55.9%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

25.5%

Avg Commute

18.9 min

Climate44.3°F

Avg Annual Temperature

44.3°F

Annual Precipitation

29.5 in

Green Bay cost of living — FAQ

Is Green Bay expensive to live in?: Green Bay is among the more affordable of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $730 per month ranks #111 of 112 and is 32% lower than the $1,080 median.
What is the average rent in Green Bay?: Average rent in Green Bay, WI runs a studio around $707, a one-bedroom around $730, a two-bedroom around $956, a three-bedroom around $1,287 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Green Bay?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $730 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year. The median household income here is $62,546.
How much does it cost to live in Green Bay per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Green Bay is about $920 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Green Bay with nearby cities

Green Bay vs Milwaukee Green Bay vs Madison Green Bay vs Chicago Green Bay vs Aurora Green Bay vs Naperville Green Bay vs Rochester

Nearby cities

Milwaukee, WI 102 mi Madison, WI 121 mi Chicago, IL 183 mi Aurora, IL 191 mi Naperville, IL 191 mi Rochester, MN 224 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.