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

Oregon
130
Expensive
$480,000
Median Home
$1,800/mo
Median Rent
$71,005
Median Income

The Verdict

33.8%

Living in Green Bay costs 33.8% less than Portland. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Green Bay, you would need $113,372 in Portland.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
72
Green Bay
168
Portland
Groceries
98
Green Bay
105
Portland
Utilities
84
Green Bay
94
Portland
Transportation
102
Green Bay
113
Portland
Healthcare
96
Green Bay
108
Portland

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Green Bay has the same purchasing power as $113,372 in Portland.

Conversely, $75,000 in Portland equals $49,615 in Green Bay.

Living in Green Bay vs Portland

Housing Costs

Green Bay's housing index of 72 is lower Portland's 168, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $480,000. The $245,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,924 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Green Bay compared to $1,800/mo in Portland, a monthly difference of $850.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Green Bay and 105 in Portland. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Green Bay vs $499/month in Portland. Green Bay offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 84 in Green Bay and 94 in Portland. Monthly utility bills average approximately $336 in Green Bay vs $376 in Portland. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Green Bay and 108 in Portland. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $71,005 in Portland. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,186 and $54,619 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 $1,657/month in Portland. In Green Bay, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Portland, median rent of $1,800/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 96 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Green Bay is 33.8% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 130.
A $75,000 salary in Green Bay has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $113,372 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 168 with median homes at $480,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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