Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Green Bay, WI
VS
Madison, WI
🏆 Madison leads 13 of 23 categories
Green Bay
Wisconsin
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,174
Violent Crime Index
130⚠ High
Population
106,846
Madison
Wisconsin
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.8
Median Household Income
$74,895 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
67 ✓ Safer
Population
268,516 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Green Bay, WI
Pros
Homes cost $154k less ($172,700 vs $326,600)
Rent averages $427/mo less ($864 vs $1,291)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.1)
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Madison
Cons
Violent crime (495.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Madison by $15,721/yr
Higher unemployment (4.1% vs 2.6%)
Snowy winters — about 56" of snow per year
Madison, WI
Pros
48% less violent crime than Green Bay
More college-educated — 58.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $15,721 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (256.0 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (2.6%)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $326,600
Cost of living runs 4% higher than Green Bay
Key Differences at a Glance
Green Bay
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 92.1 vs 95.8 (100 = US avg)
Green Bay
Median Home Value
$154k less
$172,700 vs $326,600
Madison
Median Income
$15,721
$74,895 vs $59,174/yr
Madison
Violent Crime
48% lower
256.0 vs 495.1 per 100k
Madison
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
2.6% vs 4.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Green Bay, WI | Madison, WI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.1 ✓ Cheaper | 95.8 |
| Median Home Value | $172,700 ✓ Lower | $326,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $864 ✓ Lower | $1,291 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,174 | $74,895 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1%⚠ High | 2.6% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.0 min ✓ Shorter | 19.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 15.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 103⚠ High | 76 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 130⚠ High | 67 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 62 ✓ Safer | 89 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (101) | A (124) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.8:1 | 11.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 25.1% | 58.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.5% | 95.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Green Bay Area Public School District | Madison Metropolitan School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 24.5°F | 27.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 79.8°F | 82.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.2" ✓ Drier | 39.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 55.6" | 38.5" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 106,846 | 268,516 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.6 ✓ Older | 31.6 |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.2% ✓ Higher | 47.0% |
| Under 18 | 24.0% ✓ More | 16.2% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% ✓ More | 12.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Green Bay's cost of living index is 92.1 vs Madison's 95.8 (US average = 100).
Green Bay is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Madison leads 13 of 23 categories. Green Bay wins 10 and Madison wins 13. 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 Madison or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($172,700 vs $326,600 median home), income ($59,174 vs $74,895), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Green Bay, WI and Madison, WI are about 122 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.