City Comparison

Green Bay vs Lansing

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Green Bay

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

Lansing

Michigan
84
Very Affordable
$158,000
Median Home
$1,050/mo
Median Rent
$54,400
Median Income

The Verdict

2.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 2.4%, with Lansing being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Green Bay has equivalent purchasing power to $73,256 in Lansing.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
72
Green Bay
53
Lansing
Groceries
98
Green Bay
89
Lansing
Utilities
84
Green Bay
104
Lansing
Transportation
102
Green Bay
111
Lansing
Healthcare
96
Green Bay
93
Lansing

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Green Bay has the same purchasing power as $73,256 in Lansing.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lansing equals $76,786 in Green Bay.

Living in Green Bay vs Lansing

Housing Costs

Green Bay's housing index of 72 is higher Lansing's 53, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $158,000. The $77,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,004 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Green Bay compared to $1,050/mo in Lansing, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Green Bay and 89 in Lansing. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Green Bay vs $423/month in Lansing. Lansing offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 84 in Green Bay and 104 in Lansing. Monthly utility bills average approximately $336 in Green Bay vs $416 in Lansing. 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 93 in Lansing. 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 $54,400 in Lansing. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,186 and $64,762 respectively. Lansing 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 $1,269/month in Lansing. In Green Bay, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Lansing, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lansing is 2.4% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 86.
A $75,000 salary in Green Bay has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $73,256 in Lansing, based on the cost of living difference.
Green Bay's housing index is 72 with median homes at $235,000, while Lansing's is 53 with median homes at $158,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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