City Comparison

Green Bay vs Knoxville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Green Bay

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

Knoxville

Tennessee
88
Below Average
$240,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$42,898
Median Income

The Verdict

2.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 2.3%, with Green Bay being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Green Bay has equivalent purchasing power to $76,744 in Knoxville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
72
Green Bay
73
Knoxville
Groceries
98
Green Bay
94
Knoxville
Utilities
84
Green Bay
90
Knoxville
Transportation
102
Green Bay
97
Knoxville
Healthcare
96
Green Bay
93
Knoxville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Green Bay has the same purchasing power as $76,744 in Knoxville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Knoxville equals $73,295 in Green Bay.

Living in Green Bay vs Knoxville

Housing Costs

Green Bay's housing index of 72 is lower Knoxville's 73, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $240,000. The $5,000 difference in home prices means roughly $324 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Green Bay compared to $1,100/mo in Knoxville, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Green Bay and 94 in Knoxville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Green Bay vs $447/month in Knoxville. 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 90 in Knoxville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $336 in Green Bay vs $360 in Knoxville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Green Bay and 93 in Knoxville. 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 $42,898 in Knoxville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,186 and $48,748 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 $1,001/month in Knoxville. In Green Bay, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Knoxville, median rent of $1,100/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 6 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Green Bay is 2.3% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 88.
A $75,000 salary in Green Bay has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $76,744 in Knoxville, based on the cost of living difference.
Green Bay's housing index is 72 with median homes at $235,000, while Knoxville's is 73 with median homes at $240,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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