Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Reno?

Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Reno, NV's $1,350, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Green Bay versus $48,000 in Reno.

Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Reno?

Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Reno under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax).

Green Bay vs Reno Cost of Living 2026

Green Bay

Wisconsin

$920/mo est.

Reno

Nevada

$1,350/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 $1,350 in Reno, NV. Overall, Green Bay, WI is roughly 32% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Reno, NV, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,546 in Green Bay, WI and $78,448 in Reno, NV — about 20% higher in Reno, NV. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.

Green Bay, WI

Reno, NV

Rent

Studio

$707

$964

+36% in Reno, NV

1 Bedroom

$730

$1,206

+65% in Reno, NV

2 Bedroom

$956

$1,518

+59% in Reno, NV

3 Bedroom

$1,287

$1,885

+46% in Reno, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$191,500

$498,600

+160% in Reno, NV

Income

Median Household Income

$62,546

$78,448

+25% in Reno, NV

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,940

$49,660

+1% in Green Bay, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

37.3 yr

+1.6 yr in Reno, NV

Homeownership

55.9%

49.4%

+6.5 pp in Green Bay, WI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

25.5%

35.7%

+10.2 pp in Reno, NV

Avg Commute

18.9 min

20.6 min

+1.7 min in Reno, NV

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

501.7

528.9

+5% in Reno, NV

Property Crime

1,331.2

2,489.3

+87% in Reno, NV

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

53.8°F

+9.5°F in Reno, NV

Annual Precipitation

29.5 in

7.4 in

+22.1 in in Green Bay, WI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.09/gal

+29% in Reno, NV

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.7

13.6

+31% in Green Bay, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.79

$12.09

+3% in Reno, NV

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Reno, NV

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Reno, NV

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Green Bay, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Reno, NV

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Green Bay, WI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Reno, NV

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WI / NV)

6.85%

+1.8 pp in NV

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

None

+7.7 pp in WI

Green Bay vs Reno — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Reno?: Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below Reno, NV's $1,350, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Green Bay than in Reno?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Green Bay versus $48,000 in Reno.
Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Reno?: Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Reno under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% 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).