Green Bay wins overall by ~11% (COL index)
Cost of living: Green Bay vs Madison (2026)
A $61,000 salary in Green Bay buys roughly what $68,802 does in Madison (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$5,965/yr
Favoring Green Bay for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $497/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~31 months and still keep ~$60/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Green Bay Wisconsin | Madison Wisconsin | Who wins | Your impact at $61K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,000Wins | $1,300 | Green Bay wins +$300/mo | $3,600/yr saves in Green Bay |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,250Wins | $1,650 | Green Bay wins +$400/mo | $4,800/yr saves in Green Bay |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,650Wins | $2,200 | Green Bay wins +$550/mo | $6,600/yr saves in Green Bay |
| Median home price | $225KWins | $360K | Green Bay wins +$135K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 96Better | 101 | Green Bay wins +5 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12Wins | $14 | Green Bay wins +$2/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $50Wins | $58 | Green Bay wins +$8/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $48Wins | $62 | Green Bay wins +$14/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.20Better | $3.20 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $142Better | $145 | Green Bay wins +$3/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $158Better | $162 | Green Bay wins +$4/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $60Better | $63 | Green Bay wins +$3/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $54K | $68KWins | Madison wins +$14K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 7.7%Better | 7.7% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 5.4%Better | 5.4% | — | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $14.00Better | $15.00 | Green Bay wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $35Wins | $42 | Green Bay wins +$7/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.50Wins | $6.50 | Green Bay wins +$1.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 86Better | 97 | Green Bay wins +11 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 30 | 55Wins | Madison wins +25 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Green Bay fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Green Bay.
High-yield savings
Park ~$4,800/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Green Bay cheaper than Madison?
Yes. Green Bay is 11% cheaper than Madison based on overall cost of living indices (86 vs 97, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Green Bay vs Madison?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Green Bay is $1,250/month and in Madison is $1,650/month. Green Bay is cheaper by 24%.
How much do I need to earn in Madison to match a $75,000 salary in Green Bay?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $84,593/year in Madison to match a $75,000 salary in Green Bay. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Green Bay or Madison?
Madison has the lower state income tax rate at 7.7% vs 7.7%. The difference is 0.0 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Green Bay to Madison?
It depends on your priorities. Green Bay offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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