Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Rochester?

Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Rochester, NY's $1,160, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Green Bay versus $34,000 in Rochester.

Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Rochester?

Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Rochester under New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax).

Green Bay vs Rochester Cost of Living 2026

Green Bay

Wisconsin

$920/mo est.

Rochester

New York

$1,160/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 $1,160 in Rochester, NY. Overall, Green Bay, WI is roughly 21% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rochester, NY, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,546 in Green Bay, WI and $46,628 in Rochester, NY — about 25% higher in Green Bay, WI. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.

Green Bay, WI

Rochester, NY

Rent

Studio

$707

$750

+6% in Rochester, NY

1 Bedroom

$730

$857

+17% in Rochester, NY

2 Bedroom

$956

$1,114

+17% in Rochester, NY

3 Bedroom

$1,287

$1,240

+4% in Green Bay, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$191,500

$120,600

+37% in Green Bay, WI

Income

Median Household Income

$62,546

$46,628

+25% in Green Bay, WI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,940

$51,210

+3% in Rochester, NY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

33.5 yr

+2.2 yr in Green Bay, WI

Homeownership

55.9%

37.2%

+18.7 pp in Green Bay, WI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

25.5%

29.9%

+4.4 pp in Rochester, NY

Avg Commute

18.9 min

about equal

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

501.7

690

+38% in Rochester, NY

Property Crime

1,331.2

3,533.4

+165% in Rochester, NY

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

48.2°F

+3.9°F in Rochester, NY

Annual Precipitation

29.5 in

34.3 in

+4.8 in in Rochester, NY

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.04/gal

+3% in Rochester, NY

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs New York.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.7

29.9

+52% in Rochester, NY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.79

$22.74

+93% in Rochester, NY

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 Rochester, NY

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Green Bay, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Rochester, NY

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Rochester, NY

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Rochester, NY

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WI / NY)

+1.0 pp in WI

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

10.90%

+3.3 pp in NY

Green Bay vs Rochester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Rochester?: Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Rochester, NY's $1,160, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Green Bay than in Rochester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Green Bay versus $34,000 in Rochester.
Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Rochester?: Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Rochester under New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% 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).