Is it cheaper to live in Bozeman or Green Bay?

Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $930 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Bozeman, MT's $1,360, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Bozeman versus $29,000 in Green Bay.

Which has lower taxes, Bozeman or Green Bay?

Bozeman is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax); Green Bay under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax).

Bozeman vs Green Bay Cost of Living 2026

Bozeman

Montana

$1,360/mo est.

Green Bay

Wisconsin

$930/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,360 in Bozeman, MT versus $930 in Green Bay, WI. Overall, Green Bay, WI is roughly 32% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Bozeman, MT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $79,903 in Bozeman, MT and $62,546 in Green Bay, WI — about 22% higher in Bozeman, MT. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Bozeman, MT

Green Bay, WI

Rent

Studio

$1,064

$707

+34% in Bozeman, MT

1 Bedroom

$1,214

$730

+40% in Bozeman, MT

2 Bedroom

$1,528

$956

+37% in Bozeman, MT

3 Bedroom

$2,057

$1,287

+37% in Bozeman, MT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$614,900

$191,500

+69% in Bozeman, MT

Income

Median Household Income

$79,903

$62,546

+22% in Bozeman, MT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,830

$49,940

+9% in Bozeman, MT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.6 yr

35.7 yr

+7.1 yr in Green Bay, WI

Homeownership

44.6%

55.9%

+11.3 pp in Green Bay, WI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

65.1%

25.5%

+39.6 pp in Bozeman, MT

Avg Commute

15.4 min

18.9 min

+3.5 min in Green Bay, WI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

451.2

501.7

+11% in Green Bay, WI

Property Crime

1,808.3

1,331.2

+26% in Bozeman, MT

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

45.3°F

44.3°F

+1.0°F in Bozeman, MT

Annual Precipitation

14.0 in

29.5 in

+15.5 in in Green Bay, WI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.85/gal

+10% in Bozeman, MT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.1

19.6

+29% in Green Bay, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.12

$18.17

+80% in Green Bay, WI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Bozeman, MT

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Bozeman, MT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Green Bay, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Bozeman, MT

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Green Bay, WI

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Bozeman, MT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MT / WI)

None

+5.0 pp in WI

Income Tax (top rate)

5.65%

7.65%

+2.0 pp in WI

Bozeman vs Green Bay — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bozeman or Green Bay?: Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $930 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Bozeman, MT's $1,360, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bozeman than in Green Bay?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $49,000 a year in Bozeman versus $29,000 in Green Bay.
Which has lower taxes, Bozeman or Green Bay?: Bozeman is taxed under Montana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no 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).