City Comparison

Green Bay vs Surprise

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Green Bay

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

Surprise

Arizona
103
Average
$419,000
Median Home
$1,575/mo
Median Rent
$85,500
Median Income

The Verdict

16.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 16.5%, with Green Bay being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Green Bay has equivalent purchasing power to $89,826 in Surprise.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
72
Green Bay
105
Surprise
Groceries
98
Green Bay
100
Surprise
Utilities
84
Green Bay
102
Surprise
Transportation
102
Green Bay
106
Surprise
Healthcare
96
Green Bay
97
Surprise

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Green Bay has the same purchasing power as $89,826 in Surprise.

Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $62,621 in Green Bay.

Living in Green Bay vs Surprise

Housing Costs

Green Bay's housing index of 72 is lower Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $419,000. The $184,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,964 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Green Bay compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $625.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Green Bay and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Green Bay vs $475/month in Surprise. 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 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $336 in Green Bay vs $408 in Surprise. 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 97 in Surprise. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $55,200 in Green Bay and $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,186 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise 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 $1,995/month in Surprise. In Green Bay, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 33 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Green Bay is 16.5% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 103.
A $75,000 salary in Green Bay has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $89,826 in Surprise, based on the cost of living difference.
Green Bay's housing index is 72 with median homes at $235,000, while Surprise's is 105 with median homes at $419,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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