Is it cheaper to live in Detroit or Green Bay?

Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Detroit, MI's $970, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Detroit or Green Bay?

Detroit is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% 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).

Detroit vs Green Bay Cost of Living 2026

Detroit

Michigan

$970/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 $970 in Detroit, MI versus $920 in Green Bay, WI. Overall, Green Bay, WI is roughly 5% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Detroit, MI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $39,575 in Detroit, MI and $62,546 in Green Bay, WI — about 37% higher in Green Bay, WI. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Detroit, MI

Green Bay, WI

Rent

Studio

$801

$707

+12% in Detroit, MI

1 Bedroom

$752

$730

+3% in Detroit, MI

2 Bedroom

$1,001

$956

+4% in Detroit, MI

3 Bedroom

$1,195

$1,287

+8% in Green Bay, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$76,800

$191,500

+149% in Green Bay, WI

Income

Median Household Income

$39,575

$62,546

+58% in Green Bay, WI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$52,080

$49,940

+4% in Detroit, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

35.7 yr

+0.6 yr in Green Bay, WI

Homeownership

49.7%

55.9%

+6.2 pp in Green Bay, WI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

17.6%

25.5%

+7.9 pp in Green Bay, WI

Avg Commute

25.4 min

18.9 min

+6.5 min in Detroit, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,783.4

501.7

+72% in Detroit, MI

Property Crime

4,391.6

1,331.2

+70% in Detroit, MI

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

50.3°F

44.3°F

+6.0°F in Detroit, MI

Annual Precipitation

31.3 in

29.5 in

+1.8 in in Detroit, MI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

22.0

19.7

+10% in Detroit, MI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$14.07

$11.79

+16% in Detroit, MI

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 (MI / WI)

+1.0 pp in MI

Income Tax (top rate)

4.25%

7.65%

+3.4 pp in WI

Detroit vs Green Bay — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Detroit or Green Bay?: Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Detroit, MI's $970, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Detroit than in Green Bay?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Detroit versus $29,000 in Green Bay.
Which has lower taxes, Detroit or Green Bay?: Detroit is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% 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).