Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Memphis?

Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% below Memphis, TN's $1,110, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Green Bay versus $38,000 in Memphis.

Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Memphis?

Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax).

Green Bay vs Memphis Cost of Living 2026

Green Bay

Wisconsin

$920/mo est.

Memphis

Tennessee

$1,110/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 $1,110 in Memphis, TN. Overall, Green Bay, WI is roughly 17% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Memphis, TN, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,546 in Green Bay, WI and $51,211 in Memphis, TN — about 18% higher in Green Bay, WI. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax.

Green Bay, WI

Memphis, TN

Rent

Studio

$707

$877

+24% in Memphis, TN

1 Bedroom

$730

$948

+30% in Memphis, TN

2 Bedroom

$956

$1,073

+12% in Memphis, TN

3 Bedroom

$1,287

$1,281

+0% in Green Bay, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$191,500

$157,100

+18% in Green Bay, WI

Income

Median Household Income

$62,546

$51,211

+18% in Green Bay, WI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,940

$46,890

+6% in Green Bay, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

34.3 yr

+1.4 yr in Green Bay, WI

Homeownership

55.9%

46.0%

+9.9 pp in Green Bay, WI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

25.5%

28.2%

+2.7 pp in Memphis, TN

Avg Commute

18.9 min

21.3 min

+2.4 min in Memphis, TN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

501.7

2,507.6

+400% in Memphis, TN

Property Crime

1,331.2

6,966.3

+423% in Memphis, TN

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

63.1°F

+18.8°F in Memphis, TN

Annual Precipitation

29.5 in

53.7 in

+24.2 in in Memphis, TN

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$1.75

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.7

14.5

+27% in Green Bay, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.79

$16.83

+43% in Memphis, TN

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 Memphis, TN

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 / TN)

+2.0 pp in TN

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

None

+7.7 pp in WI

Green Bay vs Memphis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Memphis?: Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 17% below Memphis, TN's $1,110, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Green Bay than in Memphis?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Green Bay versus $38,000 in Memphis.
Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Memphis?: Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Memphis under Tennessee's (no state income tax 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).