Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Pittsburgh?

Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Pittsburgh, PA's $1,300, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Green Bay versus $43,000 in Pittsburgh.

Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Pittsburgh?

Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Pittsburgh under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax).

Green Bay vs Pittsburgh Cost of Living 2026

Green Bay

Wisconsin

$920/mo est.

Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania

$1,300/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 $1,300 in Pittsburgh, PA. Overall, Green Bay, WI is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Pittsburgh, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,546 in Green Bay, WI and $64,137 in Pittsburgh, PA — about 2% higher in Pittsburgh, PA. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.

Green Bay, WI

Pittsburgh, PA

Rent

Studio

$707

$1,109

+57% in Pittsburgh, PA

1 Bedroom

$730

$1,079

+48% in Pittsburgh, PA

2 Bedroom

$956

$1,269

+33% in Pittsburgh, PA

3 Bedroom

$1,287

$1,450

+13% in Pittsburgh, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$191,500

$193,200

+1% in Pittsburgh, PA

Income

Median Household Income

$62,546

$64,137

+3% in Pittsburgh, PA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,940

$49,650

+1% in Green Bay, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

33.5 yr

+2.2 yr in Green Bay, WI

Homeownership

55.9%

47.2%

+8.7 pp in Green Bay, WI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

25.5%

47.8%

+22.3 pp in Pittsburgh, PA

Avg Commute

18.9 min

23.1 min

+4.2 min in Pittsburgh, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

501.7

436

+13% in Green Bay, WI

Property Crime

1,331.2

2,315.7

+74% in Pittsburgh, PA

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

51.8°F

+7.5°F in Pittsburgh, PA

Annual Precipitation

29.5 in

39.3 in

+9.8 in in Pittsburgh, PA

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

21.6

+9% in Pittsburgh, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.79

$19.17

+63% in Pittsburgh, PA

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 Pittsburgh, PA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Green Bay, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Pittsburgh, PA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Pittsburgh, PA

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Pittsburgh, PA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WI / PA)

+1.0 pp in PA

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

3.07%

+4.6 pp in WI

Green Bay vs Pittsburgh — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Pittsburgh?: Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Pittsburgh, PA's $1,300, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Green Bay than in Pittsburgh?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Green Bay versus $43,000 in Pittsburgh.
Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Pittsburgh?: Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Pittsburgh under Pennsylvania's (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% 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).