Green Bay vs Madison
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Green Bay
Madison
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 18.9%, with Green Bay being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Green Bay has equivalent purchasing power to $92,442 in Madison.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Green Bay has the same purchasing power as $92,442 in Madison.
Conversely, $75,000 in Madison equals $60,849 in Green Bay.
Living in Green Bay vs Madison
Housing Costs
Green Bay's housing index of 72 is lower Madison's 115, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $340,000. The $105,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,828 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Green Bay compared to $1,400/mo in Madison, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Green Bay and 101 in Madison. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Green Bay vs $480/month in Madison. 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 Madison. Monthly utility bills average approximately $336 in Green Bay vs $388 in Madison. 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 105 in Madison. 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 $55,200 in Green Bay and $67,565 in Madison. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,186 and $63,741 respectively. Green Bay residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,288/month to housing in Green Bay vs $1,577/month in Madison. In Green Bay, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Madison, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 43 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases