Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Green Bay?

Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $29,000 in Green Bay.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Green Bay?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).

Boise vs Green Bay Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/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 $1,260 in Boise, ID versus $920 in Green Bay, WI. Overall, Green Bay, WI is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boise, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $62,546 in Green Bay, WI — about 23% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Green Bay, WI

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$707

+31% in Boise, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$730

+36% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$956

+29% in Boise, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$1,287

+26% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$191,500

+58% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$62,546

+23% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$49,940

+2% in Green Bay, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

35.7 yr

+2.5 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

55.9%

+7.1 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

25.5%

+21.1 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

19.1 min

18.9 min

+0.2 min in Boise, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

501.7

+67% in Green Bay, WI

Property Crime

1,135.1

1,331.2

+17% in Green Bay, WI

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.5°F

44.3°F

+8.2°F in Boise, ID

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

29.5 in

+17.8 in in Green Bay, WI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$3.94/gal

+8% in Boise, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

12.3

19.7

+60% in Green Bay, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.82

$11.79

+9% in Green Bay, WI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Boise, ID

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Boise, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Green Bay, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Boise, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Green Bay, WI

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Boise, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / WI)

+1.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

7.65%

+2.4 pp in WI

Boise vs Green Bay — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Green Bay?: Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Green Bay?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $29,000 in Green Bay.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Green Bay?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).