CostIndexUSA

Chicago, IL vs Green Bay, WI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IL
Chicago
103.6
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableWI
Green Bay
93.1
overall index
$1,000/mo rent

Green Bay is moderately cheaper than Chicago — 10.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chicago, you would need $71,900 in Green Bay. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing33.3%
Chicago
112
Green Bay
74.7
🛒 Groceries12.6%
Chicago
107.3
Green Bay
93.8
🚗 Transportation1.0%
Chicago
105.5
Green Bay
104.4
🏥 Healthcare1.2%
Chicago
95.5
Green Bay
94.4
Utilities+7.7%
Chicago
83.6
Green Bay
90

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Chicago to see what you'd need to earn in Green Bay to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Green Bay, WI
$71,900
$8,100 less needed in Green Bay

Formula: salary × (93.1 ÷ 103.6) = salary × 0.8986. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$334,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
112
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Green Bay, WI

Median Home Price
$326,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,000
Housing Index
74.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
27.2×

Chicago has 33.3% lower housing costs compared to Green Bay.

Income & Job Market

Chicago, IL

Median Household Income
$87,100
Per Capita Income
$49,600
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
2,693,976
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareManufacturingTechnologyRetail

Green Bay, WI

Median Household Income
$76,200
Per Capita Income
$43,400
Unemployment Rate
2.1%
Population
107,395
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareTourismFinanceRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Chicago, IL
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Green Bay, WI
6.3×income-to-rent ratio

84% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.