Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Green Bay, WI
VS
Houston, TX
🏆 Green Bay leads 16 of 23 categories
Green Bay
Wisconsin
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,174
Violent Crime Index
130⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
106,846
Houston
Texas
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$60,440 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
302⚠ High
Population
2,296,253 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Green Bay, WI
Pros
57% less violent crime than Houston
Rent averages $371/mo less ($864 vs $1,235)
Homes cost $62k less ($172,700 vs $235,000)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.5 pts lower (4.1%)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 80°F vs 93°F
Cons
Violent crime (495.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Snowy winters — about 56" of snow per year
Houston, TX
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 63°F vs 25°F
More college-educated — 35.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (1148.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4293.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.6% vs 4.1%)
Cost of living runs 8% higher than Green Bay
Key Differences at a Glance
Green Bay
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 92.1 vs 100.2 (100 = US avg)
Green Bay
Violent Crime
57% lower
495.1 vs 1148.2 per 100k
Green Bay
Median Home Value
$62k less
$172,700 vs $235,000
Green Bay
Unemployment
2.5 pp lower
4.1% vs 6.6% unemployment
Houston
Median Income
$1,266
$60,440 vs $59,174/yr
Houston
Summer Heat
13.4°F warmer
July avg high 93.2°F vs 79.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Green Bay, WI | Houston, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.1 ✓ Cheaper | 100.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $172,700 ✓ Lower | $235,000 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $864 ✓ Lower | $1,235 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,174 | $60,440 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.0 min ✓ Shorter | 27.4 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 9.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer | 263⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 130⚠ High ✓ Safer | 302⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 62 ✓ Safer | 204⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (101) ✓ Better | B (100) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 25.1% | 35.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.5% ✓ Higher | 79.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Green Bay Area Public School District | HOUSTON ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 24.5°F | 62.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 79.8°F | 93.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.2" ✓ Drier | 55.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 55.6" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 106,846 | 2,296,253 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.6 ✓ Older | 33.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.2% ✓ Higher | 42.0% |
| Under 18 | 24.0% ✓ More | 23.9% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% ✓ More | 11.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Green Bay's cost of living index is 92.1 vs Houston's 100.2 (US average = 100).
Green Bay is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Green Bay leads 16 of 23 categories. Green Bay wins 16 and Houston wins 7. 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 Green Bay to Houston or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($172,700 vs $235,000 median home), income ($59,174 vs $60,440), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Green Bay, WI and Houston, TX are about 1,096 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.