Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Spokane?

Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Spokane, WA's $1,070, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Green Bay versus $36,000 in Spokane.

Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Spokane?

Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Green Bay vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Green Bay

Wisconsin

$920/mo est.

Spokane

Washington

$1,070/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 $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Green Bay, WI is roughly 14% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Spokane, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,546 in Green Bay, WI and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 5% higher in Spokane, WA. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Green Bay, WI

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$707

$884

+25% in Spokane, WA

1 Bedroom

$730

$903

+24% in Spokane, WA

2 Bedroom

$956

$1,192

+25% in Spokane, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,287

$1,442

+12% in Spokane, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$191,500

$326,200

+70% in Spokane, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$62,546

$65,745

+5% in Spokane, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,940

$54,660

+9% in Spokane, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

37.2 yr

+1.5 yr in Spokane, WA

Homeownership

55.9%

58.3%

+2.4 pp in Spokane, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

25.5%

32.6%

+7.1 pp in Spokane, WA

Avg Commute

18.9 min

21.2 min

+2.3 min in Spokane, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

501.7

683.6

+36% in Spokane, WA

Property Crime

1,331.2

4,931.8

+270% in Spokane, WA

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

48.9°F

+4.6°F in Spokane, WA

Annual Precipitation

29.5 in

17.8 in

+11.7 in in Green Bay, WI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.12/gal

+30% in Spokane, WA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.7

14.9

+24% in Green Bay, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.79

$20.41

+73% in Spokane, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Spokane, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Spokane, WA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Green Bay, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Spokane, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Green Bay, WI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Spokane, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WI / WA)

6.5%

+1.5 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

None

+7.7 pp in WI

Green Bay vs Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Spokane?: Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Spokane, WA's $1,070, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Green Bay than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $29,000 a year in Green Bay versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Spokane?: Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).