City Comparison

Green Bay vs Virginia Beach

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Green Bay

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

Virginia Beach

Virginia
105
Average
$310,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$73,418
Median Income

The Verdict

18.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 18.1%, with Green Bay being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Green Bay has equivalent purchasing power to $91,570 in Virginia Beach.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
72
Green Bay
112
Virginia Beach
Groceries
98
Green Bay
100
Virginia Beach
Utilities
84
Green Bay
98
Virginia Beach
Transportation
102
Green Bay
101
Virginia Beach
Healthcare
96
Green Bay
99
Virginia Beach

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Green Bay has the same purchasing power as $91,570 in Virginia Beach.

Conversely, $75,000 in Virginia Beach equals $61,429 in Green Bay.

Living in Green Bay vs Virginia Beach

Housing Costs

Green Bay's housing index of 72 is lower Virginia Beach's 112, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $310,000. The $75,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,872 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Green Bay compared to $1,500/mo in Virginia Beach, a monthly difference of $550.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Green Bay and 100 in Virginia Beach. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Green Bay vs $475/month in Virginia Beach. 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 98 in Virginia Beach. Monthly utility bills average approximately $336 in Green Bay vs $392 in Virginia Beach. 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 99 in Virginia Beach. 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 $73,418 in Virginia Beach. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,186 and $69,922 respectively. Virginia Beach 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 $1,713/month in Virginia Beach. In Green Bay, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Virginia Beach, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 40 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Green Bay is 18.1% more affordable overall with an index of 86 vs 105.
A $75,000 salary in Green Bay has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $91,570 in Virginia Beach, based on the cost of living difference.
Green Bay's housing index is 72 with median homes at $235,000, while Virginia Beach's is 112 with median homes at $310,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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