Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or South Burlington?

Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $930 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 48% below South Burlington, VT's $1,790, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Green Bay versus $61,000 in South Burlington.

Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or South Burlington?

Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); South Burlington under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax).

Green Bay vs South Burlington Cost of Living 2026

Green Bay

Wisconsin

$930/mo est.

South Burlington

Vermont

$1,790/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 $1,790 in South Burlington, VT. Overall, Green Bay, WI is roughly 48% cheaper to live in day-to-day than South Burlington, VT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,546 in Green Bay, WI and $97,229 in South Burlington, VT — about 36% higher in South Burlington, VT. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.

Green Bay, WI

South Burlington, VT

Rent

Studio

$707

$1,557

+120% in South Burlington, VT

1 Bedroom

$730

$1,533

+110% in South Burlington, VT

2 Bedroom

$956

$1,805

+89% in South Burlington, VT

3 Bedroom

$1,287

$2,356

+83% in South Burlington, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$191,500

$399,600

+109% in South Burlington, VT

Income

Median Household Income

$62,546

$97,229

+55% in South Burlington, VT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,940

$60,020

+20% in South Burlington, VT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

38.8 yr

+3.1 yr in South Burlington, VT

Homeownership

55.9%

60.1%

+4.2 pp in South Burlington, VT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

25.5%

65.1%

+39.6 pp in South Burlington, VT

Avg Commute

18.9 min

about equal

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

501.7

239.4

+52% in Green Bay, WI

Property Crime

1,331.2

4,446

+234% in South Burlington, VT

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

46.0°F

+1.7°F in South Burlington, VT

Annual Precipitation

29.5 in

36.8 in

+7.3 in in South Burlington, VT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in South Burlington, VT

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.6

24.4

+25% in South Burlington, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.17

$26.07

+43% in South Burlington, VT

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 South Burlington, VT

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Green Bay, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in South Burlington, VT

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in South Burlington, VT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in South Burlington, VT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WI / VT)

+1.0 pp in VT

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

8.75%

+1.1 pp in VT

Green Bay vs South Burlington — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or South Burlington?: Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $930 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 48% below South Burlington, VT's $1,790, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Green Bay than in South Burlington?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Green Bay versus $61,000 in South Burlington.
Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or South Burlington?: Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); South Burlington under Vermont's (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% 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).