Green Bay vs Racine
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Green Bay
Racine
The Verdict
Green Bay is 2.3% less expensive than Racine overall. A household earning $75,000 in Green Bay would need approximately $76,744 in Racine 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 $76,744 in Racine.
Conversely, $75,000 in Racine equals $73,295 in Green Bay.
Living in Green Bay vs Racine
Housing Costs
Green Bay's housing index of 72 is higher Racine's 66, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $126,000. The $109,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,080 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Green Bay compared to $1,025/mo in Racine, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Green Bay and 97 in Racine. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Green Bay vs $461/month in Racine. 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 94 in Racine. Monthly utility bills average approximately $336 in Green Bay vs $376 in Racine. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Green Bay and 111 in Racine. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $57,700 in Racine. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,186 and $65,568 respectively. Racine 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 $1,346/month in Racine. In Green Bay, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Racine, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases