City Comparison

Green Bay vs Montpelier

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Green Bay

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

Montpelier

Vermont
117
Above Average
$375,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$82,600
Median Income

The Verdict

26.5%

Green Bay is 26.5% less expensive than Montpelier overall. A household earning $75,000 in Green Bay would need approximately $102,035 in Montpelier to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
72
Green Bay
131
Montpelier
Groceries
98
Green Bay
104
Montpelier
Utilities
84
Green Bay
123
Montpelier
Transportation
102
Green Bay
107
Montpelier
Healthcare
96
Green Bay
107
Montpelier

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Green Bay has the same purchasing power as $102,035 in Montpelier.

Conversely, $75,000 in Montpelier equals $55,128 in Green Bay.

Living in Green Bay vs Montpelier

Housing Costs

Green Bay's housing index of 72 is lower Montpelier's 131, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $375,000. The $140,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,096 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 Montpelier, a monthly difference of $450.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Green Bay and 104 in Montpelier. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Green Bay vs $494/month in Montpelier. 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 123 in Montpelier. Monthly utility bills average approximately $336 in Green Bay vs $492 in Montpelier. 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 107 in Montpelier. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $82,600 in Montpelier. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,186 and $70,598 respectively. Montpelier 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 $1,927/month in Montpelier. In Green Bay, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Montpelier, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 59 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Green Bay is 26.5% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 117.
A $75,000 salary in Green Bay has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $102,035 in Montpelier, based on the cost of living difference.
Green Bay's housing index is 72 with median homes at $235,000, while Montpelier's is 131 with median homes at $375,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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