City Comparison

Elgin vs Green Bay

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Elgin

Illinois
95
Below Average
$279,000
Median Home
$1,375/mo
Median Rent
$90,300
Median Income

Green Bay

Wisconsin
86
Below Average
$235,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$55,200
Median Income

The Verdict

10.5%

Living in Green Bay costs 10.5% less than Elgin. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Elgin, you would need $67,895 in Green Bay.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
89
Elgin
72
Green Bay
Groceries
104
Elgin
98
Green Bay
Utilities
89
Elgin
84
Green Bay
Transportation
107
Elgin
102
Green Bay
Healthcare
105
Elgin
96
Green Bay

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Elgin has the same purchasing power as $67,895 in Green Bay.

Conversely, $75,000 in Green Bay equals $82,849 in Elgin.

Living in Elgin vs Green Bay

Housing Costs

Elgin's housing index of 89 is higher Green Bay's 72, translating to median home prices of $279,000 vs $235,000. The $44,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,856 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Elgin compared to $950/mo in Green Bay, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Elgin and 98 in Green Bay. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Elgin vs $466/month in Green Bay. Green Bay offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Elgin and 84 in Green Bay. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Elgin vs $336 in Green Bay. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 105 in Elgin and 96 in Green Bay. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $90,300 in Elgin and $55,200 in Green Bay. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $95,053 and $64,186 respectively. Elgin residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,107/month to housing in Elgin vs $1,288/month in Green Bay. In Elgin, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Green Bay, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Green Bay is 10.5% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Elgin has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $67,895 in Green Bay, based on the cost of living difference.
Elgin's housing index is 89 with median homes at $279,000, while Green Bay's is 72 with median homes at $235,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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