Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Houston?

Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Houston, TX's $1,360, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Green Bay versus $46,000 in Houston.

Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Houston?

Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Houston under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Green Bay vs Houston Cost of Living 2026

Green Bay

Wisconsin

$920/mo est.

Houston

Texas

$1,360/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $920 in Green Bay, WI versus $1,360 in Houston, TX. Overall, Green Bay, WI is roughly 32% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Houston, TX, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,546 in Green Bay, WI and $62,894 in Houston, TX — about 1% higher in Houston, TX. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Green Bay, WI

Houston, TX

Rent

Studio

$707

$1,142

+62% in Houston, TX

1 Bedroom

$730

$1,156

+58% in Houston, TX

2 Bedroom

$956

$1,375

+44% in Houston, TX

3 Bedroom

$1,287

$1,664

+29% in Houston, TX

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$191,500

$253,400

+32% in Houston, TX

Income

Median Household Income

$62,546

$62,894

+1% in Houston, TX

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,940

$49,410

+1% in Green Bay, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

34.3 yr

+1.4 yr in Green Bay, WI

Homeownership

55.9%

42.0%

+13.9 pp in Green Bay, WI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

25.5%

36.0%

+10.5 pp in Houston, TX

Avg Commute

18.9 min

27.3 min

+8.4 min in Houston, TX

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

501.7

1,153.8

+130% in Houston, TX

Property Crime

1,331.2

4,324.9

+225% in Houston, TX

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

44.3°F

70.3°F

+26.0°F in Houston, TX

Annual Precipitation

29.5 in

54.6 in

+25.1 in in Houston, TX

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.52/gal

+11% in Green Bay, WI

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Houston.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.25

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.7

16.4

+17% in Green Bay, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.79

$30.48

+159% in Houston, TX

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Green Bay, WI

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Houston, TX

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Green Bay, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Green Bay, WI

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Green Bay, WI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WI / TX)

6.25%

+1.3 pp in TX

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

None

+7.7 pp in WI

Green Bay vs Houston — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Houston?: Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Houston, TX's $1,360, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Green Bay than in Houston?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Green Bay versus $46,000 in Houston.
Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Houston?: Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Houston under Texas's (no state income tax and a 6.25% 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).