Green Bay, WI vs Madison, WI

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Green Bay is 27.1% cheaper than Madison. With a cost index of 75 vs 103, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Green Bay to Madison should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Green Bay is $904/month compared to $1,364/month in Madison — a 34% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Green Bay is more affordable at $191,500 median vs $346,900.

Median household income in Green Bay is $62,546 compared to $76,983 in Madison (-18.8%). The higher salaries in Madison partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Green Bay spend roughly 17.3% of their income on rent, less than the 21.3% in Madison.