Living in Green Bay, WI
Green Bay is the 307th-largest city in the US, home to about 107,000 people in 2025. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run below the national average (93.1 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 106,675-0.6% since 2020
- Median home value
- $207,2003.1 years of median income
- Median rent
- $932/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $66,206median, per year
- Price level
- 93.1US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 26° / 81°lows 11° / 60°
- Average commute
- 19 min11% work from home
- State income tax
- 7.65%top rate, graduated
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County: Brown County
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Elevation: about 591 ft
Metro area: Green Bay, WI
Cost of living in Green Bay
The median home in Green Bay is worth $207,200 and the median household earns $66,206 a year, so a typical home costs about 3.1 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $932 a month, about 17% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Green Bay, WI metro area at 93.1, with housing at 74.7 and goods at 93.8 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $69,800 here. Wisconsin taxes wages at a top rate of 7.65%. The average combined state and local sales tax in Wisconsin is 5.72%.
What would my salary be worth in Green Bay?
Green Bay weather
Average highs run from 26°F in January to 81°F in July, and January nights average 11°F. It gets 32 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 56 inches of snow. Nights drop below freezing about 152 times a year. The most comfortable months are May to September.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Green Bay
People and work
The median resident is 36.0 years old, and 27% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 58% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 19 minutes; 11% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 36.0244th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 27%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 58%of households
- People per sq mile
- 2,34645.5 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 1%3% walk, 0.5% bike
- Unemployment
- 3.7%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 14.7%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1971median year
Who moves to Green Bay, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Milwaukee (Milwaukee County), Madison (Dane County) and Chicago (Cook County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Milwaukee (Milwaukee County), Madison (Dane County) and Chicago (Cook County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA rating for Brown County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: tornado, hail, lightning, cold wave.
Home prices
+5% in a year
Up 60% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Green Bay, WI area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
72% good days
12 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Green Bay, WI area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Green Bay
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Saint Norbert College 4 miles
- Lawrence University 25 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Green Bay
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Green Bay-Austin Straubel International Airport GRB | 5 mi | 338,127 |
| Appleton International Airport ATW | 30 mi | 540,349 |
| Central Wisconsin Airport CWA | 83 mi | 90,087 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Green Bay
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Green Bay | 5 mi | 6,341 | $12,211 | 47% |
| Saint Norbert College | 4 mi | 1,662 | $28,822 | 72% |
| Lawrence University | 25 mi | 1,396 | $22,758 | 79% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Green Bay
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before April 30, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around September 29 and the first frost comes around October 9.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Green Bay, WI, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Green Bay.
Wildfire smoke in Green Bay
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Green Bay on about 120 days a year, including about 40 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Green Bay
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 43,790 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Green Bay
Downtown Green Bay is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Bay Area School District | Pre-K to 12 | 18,379 | 41 | 12.8 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Howard-Suamico School District (5,678 students), De Pere Unified School District (4,485 students), Pulaski Community School District (3,848 students), West De Pere School District (3,629 students), Ashwaubenon School District (3,201 students), Luxemburg-Casco School District (2,021 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Green Bay's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Green Bay's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Sioux Falls, SD69% matchCompare
- Fort Wayne, IN66% matchCompare
- Des Moines, IA65% matchCompare
- Sioux City, IA65% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Green Bay
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Green Bay
- Kettlebowl 69 miles
- Little Switzerland 81 miles
- Granite Peak Ski Area 87 miles
- Crystal Mountain 100 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Green Bay
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Homes are affordable for locals: the median home costs 3.1 years of median household income, lower than in three quarters of the cities we cover.
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 7% below the US average (BEA).
- Data Commutes are short: 19 minutes each way on average.
Cons
- Data Winters are snowy: about 56 inches a year.
Green Bay report card from locals
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Cities near Green Bay
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton, WI | 23 mi | 75,452 | $231,400 | 92.4 | Compare |
| Milwaukee, WI | 101 mi | 562,407 | $184,000 | 96.9 | Compare |
| Madison, WI | 121 mi | 286,233 | $372,900 | 97.3 | Compare |
| Racine, WI | 123 mi | 77,908 | $166,500 | 96.0 | Compare |
| Kenosha, WI | 133 mi | 99,239 | $225,200 | 101.1 | Compare |
| Waukegan, IL | 148 mi | 87,940 | $190,900 | 103.6 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Green Bay with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Green Bay a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, homes that cost under four years of median income, short commutes; the trade-offs are heavy snow. Compare Green Bay side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Green Bay?
The Census Bureau estimates Green Bay had 106,675 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 107,367 in April 2020 (-0.6%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Green Bay?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $69,800 in the Green Bay area. The median household here earns $66,206.
When is the best time to visit Green Bay?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, May to September are the most comfortable months. July averages 81°F and January 26°F for daytime highs.
What county is Green Bay in?
Green Bay is in Brown County, Wisconsin. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Green Bay in?
Green Bay is on Central Time (UTC-6, or UTC-5 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Green Bay?
About 591 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Wisconsin have a state income tax?
Yes. Wisconsin has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 7.65% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Green Bay. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Green Bay, WI metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Green Bay, WI station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.