City Comparison

Green Bay vs Lafayette

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Green Bay

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

Lafayette

Louisiana
90
Below Average
$214,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$61,900
Median Income

The Verdict

4.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 4.4%, with Green Bay being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Green Bay has equivalent purchasing power to $78,488 in Lafayette.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
72
Green Bay
73
Lafayette
Groceries
98
Green Bay
96
Lafayette
Utilities
84
Green Bay
97
Lafayette
Transportation
102
Green Bay
96
Lafayette
Healthcare
96
Green Bay
80
Lafayette

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Green Bay has the same purchasing power as $78,488 in Lafayette.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lafayette equals $71,667 in Green Bay.

Living in Green Bay vs Lafayette

Housing Costs

Green Bay's housing index of 72 is lower Lafayette's 73, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $214,000. The $21,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,368 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 Lafayette, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Green Bay and 96 in Lafayette. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Green Bay vs $456/month in Lafayette. 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 97 in Lafayette. Monthly utility bills average approximately $336 in Green Bay vs $388 in Lafayette. 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 80 in Lafayette. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $55,200 in Green Bay and $61,900 in Lafayette. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,186 and $68,778 respectively. Lafayette residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,288/month to housing in Green Bay vs $1,444/month in Lafayette. In Green Bay, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Lafayette, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 16 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Green Bay is 4.4% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 90.
A $75,000 salary in Green Bay has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $78,488 in Lafayette, based on the cost of living difference.
Green Bay's housing index is 72 with median homes at $235,000, while Lafayette's is 73 with median homes at $214,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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