Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Green Bay?

Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Columbus, GA's $1,080, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $29,000 in Green Bay.

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Green Bay?

Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Green Bay under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax).

Columbus vs Green Bay Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Georgia

$1,080/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 $1,080 in Columbus, GA versus $920 in Green Bay, WI. Overall, Green Bay, WI is roughly 15% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Columbus, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $56,622 in Columbus, GA and $62,546 in Green Bay, WI — about 9% higher in Green Bay, WI. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Columbus, GA

Green Bay, WI

Rent

Studio

$826

$707

+14% in Columbus, GA

1 Bedroom

$875

$730

+17% in Columbus, GA

2 Bedroom

$991

$956

+4% in Columbus, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,221

$1,287

+5% in Green Bay, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$182,300

$191,500

+5% in Green Bay, WI

Income

Median Household Income

$56,622

$62,546

+10% in Green Bay, WI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,540

$49,940

+15% in Green Bay, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

35.7 yr

+0.6 yr in Green Bay, WI

Homeownership

50.2%

55.9%

+5.7 pp in Green Bay, WI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.7%

25.5%

+4.2 pp in Columbus, GA

Avg Commute

20.2 min

18.9 min

+1.3 min in Columbus, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

612.3

501.7

+18% in Columbus, GA

Property Crime

2,273.4

1,331.2

+41% in Columbus, GA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

65.7°F

44.3°F

+21.4°F in Columbus, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.8 in

29.5 in

+17.2 in in Columbus, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Green Bay, WI

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

19.7

+25% in Green Bay, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$11.79

+65% in Columbus, GA

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 Columbus, GA

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 (GA / WI)

+1.0 pp in WI

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

7.65%

+2.5 pp in WI

Columbus vs Green Bay — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Green Bay?: Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Columbus, GA's $1,080, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Green Bay?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $29,000 in Green Bay.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Green Bay?: Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% 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).