City Comparison

Green Bay vs Wilmington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Green Bay

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

Wilmington

North Carolina
103
Average
$320,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$48,432
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 Wilmington.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
72
Green Bay
108
Wilmington
Groceries
98
Green Bay
101
Wilmington
Utilities
84
Green Bay
94
Wilmington
Transportation
102
Green Bay
99
Wilmington
Healthcare
96
Green Bay
106
Wilmington

Salary Equivalence

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

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

Living in Green Bay vs Wilmington

Housing Costs

Green Bay's housing index of 72 is lower Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $235,000 vs $320,000. The $85,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,520 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Green Bay compared to $1,400/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $450.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Green Bay and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Green Bay vs $480/month in Wilmington. 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 Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $336 in Green Bay vs $376 in Wilmington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Green Bay and 106 in Wilmington. 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 $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,186 and $47,021 respectively. Green Bay residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,288/month to housing in Green Bay vs $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Green Bay, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 36 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 Wilmington, based on the cost of living difference.
Green Bay's housing index is 72 with median homes at $235,000, while Wilmington's is 108 with median homes at $320,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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