City Comparison

Green Bay vs Portland

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Green Bay

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

Portland

Maine
117
Above Average
$395,000
Median Home
$1,700/mo
Median Rent
$56,895
Median Income

The Verdict

26.5%

Living in Green Bay costs 26.5% less than Portland. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Green Bay, you would need $102,035 in Portland.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
72
Green Bay
137
Portland
Groceries
98
Green Bay
107
Portland
Utilities
84
Green Bay
111
Portland
Transportation
102
Green Bay
98
Portland
Healthcare
96
Green Bay
110
Portland

Salary Equivalence

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

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

Living in Green Bay vs Portland

Housing Costs

Green Bay's housing index of 72 is lower Portland's 137, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $395,000. The $160,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,404 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Green Bay compared to $1,700/mo in Portland, a monthly difference of $750.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Green Bay and 107 in Portland. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Green Bay vs $508/month in Portland. Green Bay offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $504/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 84 in Green Bay and 111 in Portland. Monthly utility bills average approximately $336 in Green Bay vs $444 in Portland. 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 110 in Portland. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $56,895 in Portland. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,186 and $48,628 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 $1,328/month in Portland. In Green Bay, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Portland, median rent of $1,700/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 65 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 Portland, based on the cost of living difference.
Green Bay's housing index is 72 with median homes at $235,000, while Portland's is 137 with median homes at $395,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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