Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chicago, IL
VS
Green Bay, WI
🏆 Green Bay leads 15 of 23 categories
Chicago
Illinois
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,673 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
142⚠ High
Population
2,721,914 ✓ Larger
Green Bay
Wisconsin
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,174
Violent Crime Index
130⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
106,846
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chicago, IL
Pros
Households earn $12,499 more per year on average
More college-educated — 42.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 32°F vs 25°F
Cons
Violent crime (539.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3472.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Green Bay
Higher unemployment (8.2% vs 4.1%)
Green Bay, WI
Pros
Homes cost $132k less ($172,700 vs $304,500)
Rent averages $450/mo less ($864 vs $1,314)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.1 pts lower (4.1%)
Commutes run 16 min shorter each way
8% less violent crime than Chicago
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Chicago
Cons
Violent crime (495.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Chicago by $12,499/yr
Snowy winters — about 56" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Chicago
Median Income
$12,499
$71,673 vs $59,174/yr
Green Bay
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 92.1 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Green Bay
Violent Crime
8% lower
495.1 vs 539.8 per 100k
Green Bay
Median Home Value
$132k less
$172,700 vs $304,500
Green Bay
Unemployment
4.1 pp lower
4.1% vs 8.2% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Green Bay, WI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 92.1 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $304,500 | $172,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,314 | $864 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,673 ✓ Higher | $59,174 |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2%⚠ High | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 34.1 min⚠ High | 18.0 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 15.6% ✓ Higher | 7.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 151⚠ High | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 142⚠ High | 130⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 165⚠ High | 62 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (118) ✓ Better | B (101) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 | 12.8:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% ✓ Higher | 25.1% |
| High School or Higher | 86.6% | 88.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | Green Bay Area Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.9°F ✓ Warmer | 24.5°F |
| Avg High — July | 81.0°F ✓ Warmer | 79.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 34.4" | 32.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 38.8" ✓ Less | 55.6" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 2,721,914 ✓ Larger | 106,846 |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 35.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.6% | 56.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.0% | 24.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.3% | 13.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicago's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Green Bay's 92.1 (US average = 100).
Green Bay is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Green Bay leads 15 of 23 categories. Chicago wins 8 and Green Bay wins 15. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Chicago to Green Bay or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($304,500 vs $172,700 median home), income ($71,673 vs $59,174), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chicago, IL and Green Bay, WI are about 186 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.