Is it cheaper to live in Bowling Green or Green Bay?

Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Bowling Green, KY's $1,020, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Bowling Green versus $29,000 in Green Bay.

Which has lower taxes, Bowling Green or Green Bay?

Bowling Green is taxed under Kentucky's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% 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).

Bowling Green vs Green Bay Cost of Living 2026

Bowling Green

Kentucky

$1,020/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 $1,020 in Bowling Green, KY versus $920 in Green Bay, WI. Overall, Green Bay, WI is roughly 10% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Bowling Green, KY, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $48,419 in Bowling Green, KY and $62,546 in Green Bay, WI — about 23% higher in Green Bay, WI. Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Bowling Green, KY

Green Bay, WI

Rent

Studio

$878

$707

+19% in Bowling Green, KY

1 Bedroom

$833

$730

+12% in Bowling Green, KY

2 Bedroom

$960

$956

+0% in Bowling Green, KY

3 Bedroom

$1,214

$1,287

+6% in Green Bay, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$232,100

$191,500

+17% in Bowling Green, KY

Income

Median Household Income

$48,419

$62,546

+29% in Green Bay, WI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,040

$49,940

+11% in Green Bay, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

27.9 yr

35.7 yr

+7.8 yr in Green Bay, WI

Homeownership

37.3%

55.9%

+18.6 pp in Green Bay, WI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.0%

25.5%

+6.5 pp in Bowling Green, KY

Avg Commute

18.8 min

18.9 min

+0.1 min in Green Bay, WI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

231

501.7

+117% in Green Bay, WI

Property Crime

2,984.4

1,331.2

+55% in Bowling Green, KY

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

58.0°F

44.3°F

+13.7°F in Bowling Green, KY

Annual Precipitation

49.9 in

29.5 in

+20.4 in in Bowling Green, KY

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.0

19.7

+32% in Green Bay, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.48

$11.79

+60% in Bowling Green, KY

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 Bowling Green, KY

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 (KY / WI)

+1.0 pp in KY

Income Tax (top rate)

3.50%

7.65%

+4.2 pp in WI

Bowling Green vs Green Bay — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bowling Green or Green Bay?: Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Bowling Green, KY's $1,020, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bowling Green than in Green Bay?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Bowling Green versus $29,000 in Green Bay.
Which has lower taxes, Bowling Green or Green Bay?: Bowling Green is taxed under Kentucky's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% 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).