Green Bay vs Rockford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Green Bay
Rockford
The Verdict
Living in Rockford costs 8.9% less than Green Bay. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Green Bay, you would need $68,895 in Rockford.
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 $68,895 in Rockford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rockford equals $81,646 in Green Bay.
Living in Green Bay vs Rockford
Housing Costs
Green Bay's housing index of 72 is higher Rockford's 52, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $155,000. The $80,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,196 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Green Bay compared to $950/mo in Rockford, a monthly difference of $0.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Green Bay and 99 in Rockford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Green Bay vs $470/month in Rockford. 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 92 in Rockford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $336 in Green Bay vs $368 in Rockford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Green Bay and 106 in Rockford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $53,300 in Rockford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,186 and $67,468 respectively. Rockford 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 $1,244/month in Rockford. In Green Bay, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Rockford, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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