Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Green Bay, WI
VS
Ontario, CA
🏆 Green Bay leads 14 of 23 categories
Green Bay
Wisconsin
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,174
Violent Crime Index
130⚠ High
Population
106,846
Ontario
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$78,070 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
72 ✓ Safer
Population
176,326 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Green Bay, WI
Pros
Homes cost $340k less ($172,700 vs $513,000)
Rent averages $962/mo less ($864 vs $1,826)
Commutes run 13 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (4.1%)
16% cheaper overall cost of living than Ontario
Cooler summers — July highs near 80°F vs 94°F
Cons
Violent crime (495.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Ontario by $18,896/yr
Snowy winters — about 56" of snow per year
Ontario, CA
Pros
45% less violent crime than Green Bay
Households earn $18,896 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 25°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $513,000
Higher rents — median is $1,826/mo
Cost of living runs 16% higher than Green Bay
Higher unemployment (5.8% vs 4.1%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Green Bay
Cost of Living
16% cheaper
COL index 92.1 vs 107.9 (100 = US avg)
Green Bay
Median Home Value
$340k less
$172,700 vs $513,000
Green Bay
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
4.1% vs 5.8% unemployment
Ontario
Median Income
$18,896
$78,070 vs $59,174/yr
Ontario
Violent Crime
45% lower
272.2 vs 495.1 per 100k
Ontario
Summer Heat
14.0°F warmer
July avg high 93.8°F vs 79.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Green Bay, WI | Ontario, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.1 ✓ Cheaper | 107.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $172,700 ✓ Lower | $513,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $864 ✓ Lower | $1,826⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,174 | $78,070 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.0 min ✓ Shorter | 31.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% ✓ Higher | 6.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 103⚠ High | 78 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 130⚠ High | 72 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 62 ✓ Safer | 87 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (101) ✓ Better | C- (65) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 25.1% ✓ Higher | 19.2% |
| High School or Higher | 88.5% ✓ Higher | 76.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Green Bay Area Public School District | Ontario-Montclair |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 24.5°F | 67.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 79.8°F | 93.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.2" | 11.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 55.6" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 106,846 | 176,326 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.6 ✓ Older | 32.6 |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.2% ✓ Higher | 55.7% |
| Under 18 | 24.0% | 24.9% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.9% ✓ More | 10.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Green Bay's cost of living index is 92.1 vs Ontario's 107.9 (US average = 100).
Green Bay is 16% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Green Bay leads 14 of 23 categories. Green Bay wins 14 and Ontario wins 9. 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 Ontario or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($172,700 vs $513,000 median home), income ($59,174 vs $78,070), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Green Bay, WI and Ontario, CA are about 1,729 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.