Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Laramie?

Laramie, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $890 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Green Bay, WI's $930, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Laramie?

Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Laramie under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax).

Green Bay vs Laramie Cost of Living 2026

Green Bay

Wisconsin

$930/mo est.

Laramie

Wyoming

$890/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 $890 in Laramie, WY. Overall, Laramie, WY is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Green Bay, WI, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $62,546 in Green Bay, WI and $52,414 in Laramie, WY — about 16% higher in Green Bay, WI. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; Wyoming has no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax.

Green Bay, WI

Laramie, WY

Rent

Studio

$707

$667

+6% in Green Bay, WI

1 Bedroom

$730

$728

+0% in Green Bay, WI

2 Bedroom

$956

$883

+8% in Green Bay, WI

3 Bedroom

$1,287

$1,423

+11% in Laramie, WY

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$191,500

$302,200

+58% in Laramie, WY

Income

Median Household Income

$62,546

$52,414

+16% in Green Bay, WI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,940

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

26.9 yr

+8.8 yr in Green Bay, WI

Homeownership

55.9%

44.1%

+11.8 pp in Green Bay, WI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

25.5%

55.8%

+30.3 pp in Laramie, WY

Avg Commute

18.9 min

13.5 min

+5.4 min in Green Bay, WI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

501.7

129.6

+74% in Green Bay, WI

Property Crime

1,331.2

1,175.9

+12% 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

41.0°F

+3.3°F in Green Bay, WI

Annual Precipitation

29.5 in

10.9 in

+18.6 in in Green Bay, WI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$4.27/gal

+11% in Laramie, WY

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.6

15.2

+22% in Green Bay, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.17

$18.28

+1% in Laramie, WY

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Laramie, WY

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Laramie, WY

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Green Bay, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Laramie, WY

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Green Bay, WI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Laramie, WY

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WI / WY)

+1.0 pp in WI

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

None

+7.7 pp in WI

Green Bay vs Laramie — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Laramie?: Laramie, WY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $890 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Green Bay, WI's $930, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Green Bay than in Laramie?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Green Bay versus $29,000 in Laramie.
Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Laramie?: Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Laramie under Wyoming's (no state income tax and a 4% 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).