Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Newark?

Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Newark, NJ's $1,210, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Green Bay versus $39,000 in Newark.

Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Newark?

Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax).

Green Bay vs Newark Cost of Living 2026

Green Bay

Wisconsin

$920/mo est.

Newark

New Jersey

$1,210/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 $1,210 in Newark, NJ. Overall, Green Bay, WI is roughly 24% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Newark, NJ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,546 in Green Bay, WI and $48,416 in Newark, NJ — about 23% higher in Green Bay, WI. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.

Green Bay, WI

Newark, NJ

Rent

Studio

$707

$1,111

+57% in Newark, NJ

1 Bedroom

$730

$978

+34% in Newark, NJ

2 Bedroom

$956

$1,386

+45% in Newark, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,287

$1,695

+32% in Newark, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$191,500

$337,800

+76% in Newark, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$62,546

$48,416

+23% in Green Bay, WI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,940

$61,430

+23% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

34.8 yr

+0.9 yr in Green Bay, WI

Homeownership

55.9%

24.1%

+31.8 pp in Green Bay, WI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

25.5%

17.4%

+8.1 pp in Green Bay, WI

Avg Commute

18.9 min

33.2 min

+14.3 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

501.7

582.5

+16% in Newark, NJ

Property Crime

1,331.2

1,961.8

+47% in Newark, NJ

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

54.9°F

+10.6°F in Newark, NJ

Annual Precipitation

29.5 in

46.3 in

+16.7 in in Newark, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.86/gal

+2% in Green Bay, WI

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.7

23.3

+18% in Newark, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.79

$15.93

+35% in Newark, NJ

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in Newark, NJ

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Green Bay, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Newark, NJ

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Newark, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Newark, NJ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WI / NJ)

6.625%

+1.6 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

10.75%

+3.1 pp in NJ

Green Bay vs Newark — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Newark?: Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Newark, NJ's $1,210, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Green Bay than in Newark?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Green Bay versus $39,000 in Newark.
Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Newark?: Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% 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).