Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Santa Fe?

Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Santa Fe, NM's $1,310, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Green Bay versus $47,000 in Santa Fe.

Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Santa Fe?

Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Santa Fe under New Mexico's (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax).

Green Bay vs Santa Fe Cost of Living 2026

Green Bay

Wisconsin

$920/mo est.

Santa Fe

New Mexico

$1,310/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 $1,310 in Santa Fe, NM. Overall, Green Bay, WI is roughly 30% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Santa Fe, NM, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,546 in Green Bay, WI and $70,110 in Santa Fe, NM — about 11% higher in Santa Fe, NM. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; New Mexico has a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% state sales tax.

Green Bay, WI

Santa Fe, NM

Rent

Studio

$707

$969

+37% in Santa Fe, NM

1 Bedroom

$730

$1,167

+60% in Santa Fe, NM

2 Bedroom

$956

$1,559

+63% in Santa Fe, NM

3 Bedroom

$1,287

$1,733

+35% in Santa Fe, NM

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$191,500

$411,500

+115% in Santa Fe, NM

Income

Median Household Income

$62,546

$70,110

+12% in Santa Fe, NM

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,940

$48,710

+2% in Green Bay, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

46.4 yr

+10.7 yr in Santa Fe, NM

Homeownership

55.9%

62.8%

+6.9 pp in Santa Fe, NM

Bachelor's+ (25+)

25.5%

45.4%

+19.9 pp in Santa Fe, NM

Avg Commute

18.9 min

20.2 min

+1.3 min in Santa Fe, NM

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

501.7

843.3

+68% in Santa Fe, NM

Property Crime

1,331.2

5,189

+290% in Santa Fe, NM

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

51.9°F

+7.6°F in Santa Fe, NM

Annual Precipitation

29.5 in

13.5 in

+16.0 in in Green Bay, WI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.62/gal

+8% in Green Bay, WI

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.7

14.1

+28% in Green Bay, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.79

$11.90

+1% in Santa Fe, NM

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Santa Fe, NM

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Santa Fe, NM

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Green Bay, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Santa Fe, NM

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Green Bay, WI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Santa Fe, NM

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WI / NM)

4.875%

+0.1 pp in WI

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

5.90%

+1.8 pp in WI

Green Bay vs Santa Fe — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Santa Fe?: Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Santa Fe, NM's $1,310, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Green Bay than in Santa Fe?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Green Bay versus $47,000 in Santa Fe.
Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Santa Fe?: Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Santa Fe under New Mexico's (a top state income tax rate of 5.90% and a 4.875% 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).