Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Green Bay?

Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $29,000 in Green Bay.

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Green Bay?

Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Green Bay under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax).

Chicago vs Green Bay Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,490/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 $1,490 in Chicago, IL versus $920 in Green Bay, WI. Overall, Green Bay, WI is roughly 38% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $62,546 in Green Bay, WI — about 17% higher in Chicago, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Chicago, IL

Green Bay, WI

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$707

+40% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$730

+42% in Chicago, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$956

+32% in Chicago, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$1,287

+17% in Chicago, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$191,500

+39% in Chicago, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$62,546

+17% in Chicago, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$49,940

+9% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

about equal

Homeownership

45.5%

55.9%

+10.4 pp in Green Bay, WI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

25.5%

+17.8 pp in Chicago, IL

Avg Commute

33.5 min

18.9 min

+14.6 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

501.7

+7% in Chicago, IL

Property Crime

3,489.9

1,331.2

+62% in Chicago, IL

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.7°F

44.3°F

+8.4°F in Chicago, IL

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

29.5 in

+8.4 in in Chicago, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$3.94/gal

+8% in Chicago, IL

Area: Chicago vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

19.7

+17% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$11.79

+23% in Chicago, IL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / WI)

6.25%

+1.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

7.65%

+2.7 pp in WI

Chicago vs Green Bay — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Green Bay?: Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Green Bay?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $29,000 in Green Bay.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Green Bay?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% 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).