Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Tulsa?

Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Tulsa, OK's $1,020, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Tulsa.

Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Tulsa?

Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Tulsa under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Green Bay vs Tulsa Cost of Living 2026

Green Bay

Wisconsin

$920/mo est.

Tulsa

Oklahoma

$1,020/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 $1,020 in Tulsa, OK. Overall, Green Bay, WI is roughly 10% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tulsa, OK, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,546 in Green Bay, WI and $58,407 in Tulsa, OK — about 7% higher in Green Bay, WI. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Green Bay, WI

Tulsa, OK

Rent

Studio

$707

$786

+11% in Tulsa, OK

1 Bedroom

$730

$847

+16% in Tulsa, OK

2 Bedroom

$956

$1,045

+9% in Tulsa, OK

3 Bedroom

$1,287

$1,265

+2% in Green Bay, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$191,500

$189,600

+1% in Green Bay, WI

Income

Median Household Income

$62,546

$58,407

+7% in Green Bay, WI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,940

$46,670

+7% in Green Bay, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

35.5 yr

+0.2 yr in Green Bay, WI

Homeownership

55.9%

52.0%

+3.9 pp in Green Bay, WI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

25.5%

33.3%

+7.8 pp in Tulsa, OK

Avg Commute

18.9 min

18.7 min

+0.2 min in Green Bay, WI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

501.7

948.9

+89% in Tulsa, OK

Property Crime

1,331.2

3,664.6

+175% in Tulsa, OK

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

60.1°F

+15.8°F in Tulsa, OK

Annual Precipitation

29.5 in

43.7 in

+14.2 in in Tulsa, OK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.7

13.4

+32% in Green Bay, WI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.79

$27.15

+130% in Tulsa, OK

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 Tulsa, OK

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 / OK)

4.5%

+0.5 pp in WI

Income Tax (top rate)

7.65%

4.50%

+3.2 pp in WI

Green Bay vs Tulsa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Green Bay or Tulsa?: Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Tulsa, OK's $1,020, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Green Bay than in Tulsa?: 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 Tulsa.
Which has lower taxes, Green Bay or Tulsa?: Green Bay is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax); Tulsa under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% 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).