Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Rapid City?

Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $930 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Rapid City, SD's $970, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Green Bay versus $32,000 in Rapid City.

Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Rapid City?

Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Rapid City under South Dakota's (no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax).

Green Bay vs Rapid City Cost of Living 2026

Green Bay

Wisconsin

$930/mo est.

Rapid City

South Dakota

$970/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 $970 in Rapid City, SD. Overall, Green Bay, WI is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rapid City, SD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,546 in Green Bay, WI and $65,712 in Rapid City, SD — about 5% higher in Rapid City, SD. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax.

Green Bay, WI

Rapid City, SD

Rent

Studio

$707

$533

+25% in Green Bay, WI

1 Bedroom

$730

$807

+11% in Rapid City, SD

2 Bedroom

$956

$1,156

+21% in Rapid City, SD

3 Bedroom

$1,287

$1,260

+2% in Green Bay, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$191,500

$270,000

+41% in Rapid City, SD

Income

Median Household Income

$62,546

$65,712

+5% in Rapid City, SD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,940

$46,270

+7% in Green Bay, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

39.0 yr

+3.3 yr in Rapid City, SD

Homeownership

55.9%

61.6%

+5.7 pp in Rapid City, SD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

25.5%

36.4%

+10.9 pp in Rapid City, SD

Avg Commute

18.9 min

17.4 min

+1.5 min in Green Bay, WI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

501.7

718.9

+43% in Rapid City, SD

Property Crime

1,331.2

3,795.8

+185% in Rapid City, SD

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

47.1°F

+2.8°F in Rapid City, SD

Annual Precipitation

29.5 in

16.3 in

+13.2 in in Green Bay, WI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.6

15.4

+21% in Green Bay, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.17

$15.26

+16% 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

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WI / SD)

4.2%

+0.8 pp in WI

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

None

+7.7 pp in WI

Green Bay vs Rapid City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Rapid City?: Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $930 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Rapid City, SD's $970, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Green Bay than in Rapid City?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Green Bay versus $32,000 in Rapid City.
Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Rapid City?: Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Rapid City under South Dakota's (no state income tax and a 4.2% 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).