Green Bay vs Minneapolis
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Green Bay
Minneapolis
The Verdict
Green Bay is 18.9% less expensive than Minneapolis overall. A household earning $75,000 in Green Bay would need approximately $92,442 in Minneapolis to maintain the same standard of living.
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 Minneapolis.
Conversely, $75,000 in Minneapolis equals $60,849 in Green Bay.
Living in Green Bay vs Minneapolis
Housing Costs
Green Bay's housing index of 72 is lower Minneapolis's 112, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $310,000. The $75,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,872 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Green Bay compared to $1,500/mo in Minneapolis, a monthly difference of $550.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Green Bay and 104 in Minneapolis. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Green Bay vs $494/month in Minneapolis. Green Bay offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 84 in Green Bay and 97 in Minneapolis. Monthly utility bills average approximately $336 in Green Bay vs $388 in Minneapolis. 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 Minneapolis. 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 $64,285 in Minneapolis. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,186 and $60,646 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 $1,500/month in Minneapolis. In Green Bay, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Minneapolis, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 40 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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