Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Paterson?

Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $930 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below Paterson, NJ's $1,430, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Green Bay versus $47,000 in Paterson.

Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Paterson?

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

Green Bay vs Paterson Cost of Living 2026

Green Bay

Wisconsin

$930/mo est.

Paterson

New Jersey

$1,430/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 $1,430 in Paterson, NJ. Overall, Green Bay, WI is roughly 35% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Paterson, NJ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,546 in Green Bay, WI and $53,766 in Paterson, NJ — about 14% 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

Paterson, NJ

Rent

Studio

$707

$786

+11% in Paterson, NJ

1 Bedroom

$730

$1,183

+62% in Paterson, NJ

2 Bedroom

$956

$1,468

+54% in Paterson, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,287

$1,729

+34% in Paterson, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$191,500

$335,400

+75% in Paterson, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$62,546

$53,766

+14% in Green Bay, WI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,940

$61,430

+23% in Paterson, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

33.3 yr

+2.4 yr in Green Bay, WI

Homeownership

55.9%

26.2%

+29.7 pp in Green Bay, WI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

25.5%

12.5%

+13.0 pp in Green Bay, WI

Avg Commute

18.9 min

23.1 min

+4.2 min in Paterson, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

501.7

1,010.1

+101% in Paterson, NJ

Property Crime

1,331.2

2,391.4

+80% in Paterson, 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

52.2°F

+7.9°F in Paterson, NJ

Annual Precipitation

29.5 in

49.0 in

+19.5 in in Paterson, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Paterson, NJ

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.6

24.9

+28% in Paterson, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.17

$17.68

+3% in Green Bay, WI

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 Paterson, NJ

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Green Bay, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Paterson, NJ

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Paterson, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Paterson, 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 Paterson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Paterson?: Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $930 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below Paterson, NJ's $1,430, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Green Bay than in Paterson?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Green Bay versus $47,000 in Paterson.
Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Paterson?: Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Paterson 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).