Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Lexington?

Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Lexington, KY's $1,070, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Green Bay versus $35,000 in Lexington.

Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Lexington?

Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Lexington under Kentucky's (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax).

Green Bay vs Lexington Cost of Living 2026

Green Bay

Wisconsin

$920/mo est.

Lexington

Kentucky

$1,070/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 $1,070 in Lexington, KY. Overall, Green Bay, WI is roughly 14% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Lexington, KY, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,546 in Green Bay, WI and $67,631 in Lexington, KY — about 8% higher in Lexington, KY. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax.

Green Bay, WI

Lexington, KY

Rent

Studio

$707

$769

+9% in Lexington, KY

1 Bedroom

$730

$887

+22% in Lexington, KY

2 Bedroom

$956

$1,119

+17% in Lexington, KY

3 Bedroom

$1,287

$1,408

+9% in Lexington, KY

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$191,500

$272,100

+42% in Lexington, KY

Income

Median Household Income

$62,546

$67,631

+8% in Lexington, KY

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,940

$48,620

+3% in Green Bay, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

35.2 yr

+0.5 yr in Green Bay, WI

Homeownership

55.9%

53.6%

+2.3 pp in Green Bay, WI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

25.5%

47.3%

+21.8 pp in Lexington, KY

Avg Commute

18.9 min

20.8 min

+1.9 min in Lexington, KY

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

501.7

269.1

+46% in Green Bay, WI

Property Crime

1,331.2

2,304.4

+73% in Lexington, KY

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

55.6°F

+11.3°F in Lexington, KY

Annual Precipitation

29.5 in

45.2 in

+15.7 in in Lexington, KY

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.7

15.0

+24% in Green Bay, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.79

$29.48

+150% in Lexington, KY

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 Lexington, KY

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 / KY)

+1.0 pp in KY

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

3.50%

+4.2 pp in WI

Green Bay vs Lexington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Lexington?: Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Lexington, KY's $1,070, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Green Bay than in Lexington?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Green Bay versus $35,000 in Lexington.
Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Lexington?: Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Lexington under Kentucky's (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% 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).