City Comparison

Green Bay vs Ithaca

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Green Bay

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

Ithaca

New York
94
Below Average
$324,000
Median Home
$1,475/mo
Median Rent
$48,600
Median Income

The Verdict

8.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 8.5%, with Green Bay being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Green Bay has equivalent purchasing power to $81,977 in Ithaca.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
72
Green Bay
117
Ithaca
Groceries
98
Green Bay
103
Ithaca
Utilities
84
Green Bay
102
Ithaca
Transportation
102
Green Bay
96
Ithaca
Healthcare
96
Green Bay
99
Ithaca

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Green Bay has the same purchasing power as $81,977 in Ithaca.

Conversely, $75,000 in Ithaca equals $68,617 in Green Bay.

Living in Green Bay vs Ithaca

Housing Costs

Green Bay's housing index of 72 is lower Ithaca's 117, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $324,000. The $89,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,784 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Green Bay compared to $1,475/mo in Ithaca, a monthly difference of $525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Green Bay and 103 in Ithaca. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Green Bay vs $489/month in Ithaca. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 84 in Green Bay and 102 in Ithaca. Monthly utility bills average approximately $336 in Green Bay vs $408 in Ithaca. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Green Bay and 99 in Ithaca. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $55,200 in Green Bay and $48,600 in Ithaca. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,186 and $51,702 respectively. Green Bay residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,288/month to housing in Green Bay vs $1,134/month in Ithaca. In Green Bay, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Ithaca, median rent of $1,475/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 45 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Green Bay is 8.5% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 94.
A $75,000 salary in Green Bay has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $81,977 in Ithaca, based on the cost of living difference.
Green Bay's housing index is 72 with median homes at $235,000, while Ithaca's is 117 with median homes at $324,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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