Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Green Bay?

Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Baltimore, MD's $1,300, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $29,000 in Green Bay.

Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Green Bay?

Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Green Bay under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax).

Baltimore vs Green Bay Cost of Living 2026

Baltimore

Maryland

$1,300/mo est.

Green Bay

Wisconsin

$920/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,300 in Baltimore, MD versus $920 in Green Bay, WI. Overall, Green Bay, WI is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Baltimore, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $59,623 in Baltimore, MD and $62,546 in Green Bay, WI — about 5% higher in Green Bay, WI. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Baltimore, MD

Green Bay, WI

Rent

Studio

$1,050

$707

+33% in Baltimore, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,073

$730

+32% in Baltimore, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,353

$956

+29% in Baltimore, MD

3 Bedroom

$1,555

$1,287

+17% in Baltimore, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$219,300

$191,500

+13% in Baltimore, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$59,623

$62,546

+5% in Green Bay, WI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$49,940

+15% in Baltimore, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

35.7 yr

+0.4 yr in Baltimore, MD

Homeownership

47.5%

55.9%

+8.4 pp in Green Bay, WI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.4%

25.5%

+9.9 pp in Baltimore, MD

Avg Commute

29.4 min

18.9 min

+10.5 min in Baltimore, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,616.7

501.7

+69% in Baltimore, MD

Property Crime

4,202.6

1,331.2

+68% in Baltimore, MD

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

61.4°F

44.3°F

+17.1°F in Baltimore, MD

Annual Precipitation

42.4 in

29.5 in

+12.9 in in Baltimore, MD

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Green Bay, WI

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

Adult base one-way fare — MTA Maryland vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

19.7

+9% in Baltimore, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$11.79

+38% in Baltimore, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Green Bay, WI

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Baltimore, MD

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Green Bay, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Green Bay, WI

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Green Bay, WI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

Average prices — South vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / WI)

+1.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

7.65%

+1.2 pp in WI

Baltimore vs Green Bay — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Baltimore or Green Bay?: Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Baltimore, MD's $1,300, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Baltimore than in Green Bay?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Baltimore versus $29,000 in Green Bay.
Which has lower taxes, Baltimore or Green Bay?: Baltimore is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Green Bay under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).