Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Green Bay?

Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Cincinnati, OH's $1,030, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati versus $29,000 in Green Bay.

Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Green Bay?

Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Green Bay under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax).

Cincinnati vs Green Bay Cost of Living 2026

Cincinnati

Ohio

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Cincinnati, OH versus $920 in Green Bay, WI. Overall, Green Bay, WI is roughly 11% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cincinnati, OH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $51,707 in Cincinnati, OH and $62,546 in Green Bay, WI — about 17% higher in Green Bay, WI. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Cincinnati, OH

Green Bay, WI

Rent

Studio

$791

$707

+11% in Cincinnati, OH

1 Bedroom

$817

$730

+11% in Cincinnati, OH

2 Bedroom

$1,023

$956

+7% in Cincinnati, OH

3 Bedroom

$1,228

$1,287

+5% in Green Bay, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$215,300

$191,500

+11% in Cincinnati, OH

Income

Median Household Income

$51,707

$62,546

+21% in Green Bay, WI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,170

$49,940

+0% in Cincinnati, OH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.0 yr

35.7 yr

+2.7 yr in Green Bay, WI

Homeownership

38.9%

55.9%

+17.0 pp in Green Bay, WI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.3%

25.5%

+15.8 pp in Cincinnati, OH

Avg Commute

23.1 min

18.9 min

+4.2 min in Cincinnati, OH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

856.5

501.7

+41% in Cincinnati, OH

Property Crime

3,877.7

1,331.2

+66% in Cincinnati, OH

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

54.3°F

44.3°F

+10.0°F in Cincinnati, OH

Annual Precipitation

41.9 in

29.5 in

+12.4 in in Cincinnati, OH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.18/gal

$3.94/gal

+6% in Cincinnati, OH

Area: Ohio vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.5

19.7

+1% in Green Bay, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.83

$11.79

+48% in Cincinnati, OH

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 (OH / WI)

5.75%

+0.8 pp in OH

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

7.65%

+4.9 pp in WI

Cincinnati vs Green Bay — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Green Bay?: Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 11% below Cincinnati, OH's $1,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati versus $29,000 in Green Bay.
Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Green Bay?: Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% 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).