Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Jackson?

Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Jackson, MS's $1,010, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Jackson.

Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Jackson?

Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Jackson under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax).

Green Bay vs Jackson Cost of Living 2026

Green Bay

Wisconsin

$920/mo est.

Jackson

Mississippi

$1,010/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 $1,010 in Jackson, MS. Overall, Green Bay, WI is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Jackson, MS, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,546 in Green Bay, WI and $43,238 in Jackson, MS — about 31% higher in Green Bay, WI. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.

Green Bay, WI

Jackson, MS

Rent

Studio

$707

$1,085

+53% in Jackson, MS

1 Bedroom

$730

$816

+12% in Jackson, MS

2 Bedroom

$956

$991

+4% in Jackson, MS

3 Bedroom

$1,287

$1,121

+13% in Green Bay, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$191,500

$108,200

+43% in Green Bay, WI

Income

Median Household Income

$62,546

$43,238

+31% in Green Bay, WI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,940

$42,850

+14% in Green Bay, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

34.7 yr

+1.0 yr in Green Bay, WI

Homeownership

55.9%

48.6%

+7.3 pp in Green Bay, WI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

25.5%

28.6%

+3.1 pp in Jackson, MS

Avg Commute

18.9 min

20.2 min

+1.3 min in Jackson, MS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

501.7

—

Property Crime

1,331.2

—

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

65.3°F

+21.0°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

29.5 in

54.3 in

+24.8 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.62/gal

+8% in Green Bay, WI

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.7

16.2

+18% in Green Bay, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.79

$27.68

+135% in Jackson, MS

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 Jackson, MS

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 / MS)

+2.0 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

4.00%

+3.7 pp in WI

Green Bay vs Jackson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Jackson?: Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Jackson, MS's $1,010, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Green Bay than in Jackson?: 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 Jackson.
Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Jackson?: Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Jackson under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% 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).