Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Idaho Falls?

Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $930 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Idaho Falls, ID's $970, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Green Bay versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.

Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Idaho Falls?

Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Idaho Falls under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Green Bay vs Idaho Falls Cost of Living 2026

Green Bay

Wisconsin

$930/mo est.

Idaho Falls

Idaho

$970/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $930 in Green Bay, WI versus $970 in Idaho Falls, ID. Overall, Green Bay, WI is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Idaho Falls, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,546 in Green Bay, WI and $69,630 in Idaho Falls, ID — about 10% higher in Idaho Falls, ID. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Green Bay, WI

Idaho Falls, ID

Rent

Studio

$707

$818

+16% in Idaho Falls, ID

1 Bedroom

$730

$827

+13% in Idaho Falls, ID

2 Bedroom

$956

$957

+0% in Idaho Falls, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,287

$1,278

+1% in Green Bay, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$191,500

$298,600

+56% in Idaho Falls, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$62,546

$69,630

+11% in Idaho Falls, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,940

$46,800

+6% in Green Bay, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

33.5 yr

+2.2 yr in Green Bay, WI

Homeownership

55.9%

64.1%

+8.2 pp in Idaho Falls, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

25.5%

31.0%

+5.5 pp in Idaho Falls, ID

Avg Commute

18.9 min

18.2 min

+0.7 min in Green Bay, WI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

501.7

365.3

+27% in Green Bay, WI

Property Crime

1,331.2

1,235.5

+7% in Green Bay, WI

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

44.2°F

+0.1°F in Green Bay, WI

Annual Precipitation

29.5 in

10.4 in

+19.1 in in Green Bay, WI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.27/gal

+11% in Idaho Falls, ID

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.6

14.4

+27% in Green Bay, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.17

$11.33

+38% in Green Bay, WI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Idaho Falls, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Idaho Falls, ID

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Green Bay, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Idaho Falls, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Green Bay, WI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Idaho Falls, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WI / ID)

+1.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

5.30%

+2.4 pp in WI

Green Bay vs Idaho Falls — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Idaho Falls?: Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $930 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Idaho Falls, ID's $970, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Green Bay than in Idaho Falls?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Green Bay versus $33,000 in Idaho Falls.
Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Idaho Falls?: Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Idaho Falls under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% 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).