Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Richmond?

Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Richmond, VA's $1,390, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Richmond.

Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Richmond?

Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Richmond under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax).

Green Bay vs Richmond Cost of Living 2026

Green Bay

Wisconsin

$920/mo est.

Richmond

Virginia

$1,390/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 $1,390 in Richmond, VA. Overall, Green Bay, WI is roughly 34% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Richmond, VA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,546 in Green Bay, WI and $62,671 in Richmond, VA. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Green Bay, WI

Richmond, VA

Rent

Studio

$707

$1,183

+67% in Richmond, VA

1 Bedroom

$730

$1,195

+64% in Richmond, VA

2 Bedroom

$956

$1,374

+44% in Richmond, VA

3 Bedroom

$1,287

$1,447

+12% in Richmond, VA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$191,500

$328,100

+71% in Richmond, VA

Income

Median Household Income

$62,546

$62,671

+0% in Richmond, VA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,940

$51,460

+3% in Richmond, VA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

34.5 yr

+1.2 yr in Green Bay, WI

Homeownership

55.9%

43.5%

+12.4 pp in Green Bay, WI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

25.5%

44.1%

+18.6 pp in Richmond, VA

Avg Commute

18.9 min

22.1 min

+3.2 min in Richmond, VA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

501.7

349

+30% in Green Bay, WI

Property Crime

1,331.2

3,240.2

+143% in Richmond, VA

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

58.9°F

+14.6°F in Richmond, VA

Annual Precipitation

29.5 in

43.6 in

+14.1 in in Richmond, VA

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

17.6

+11% in Green Bay, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.79

$23.66

+101% in Richmond, VA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Green Bay, WI

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Richmond, VA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Green Bay, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Green Bay, WI

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Green Bay, WI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WI / VA)

5.3%

+0.3 pp in VA

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

5.75%

+1.9 pp in WI

Green Bay vs Richmond — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Richmond?: Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Richmond, VA's $1,390, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Green Bay than in Richmond?: 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 Richmond.
Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Richmond?: Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Richmond under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).