Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Green Bay, WI
VS
Riverside, CA
🏆 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
Riverside
California
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$83,448 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
155⚠ High
Population
316,076 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Green Bay, WI
Pros
Homes cost $313k less ($172,700 vs $485,500)
Rent averages $847/mo less ($864 vs $1,711)
16% less violent crime than Riverside
Commutes run 13 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (4.1%)
16% cheaper overall cost of living than Riverside
Cons
Median income trails Riverside by $24,274/yr
Violent crime (495.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Snowy winters — about 56" of snow per year
Riverside, CA
Pros
Households earn $24,274 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 70°F vs 25°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $485,500
Higher rents — median is $1,711/mo
Violent crime (589.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 16% higher than Green Bay
Key Differences at a Glance
Green Bay
Cost of Living
16% cheaper
COL index 92.1 vs 107.9 (100 = US avg)
Green Bay
Violent Crime
16% lower
495.1 vs 589.7 per 100k
Green Bay
Median Home Value
$313k less
$172,700 vs $485,500
Green Bay
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
4.1% vs 6.1% unemployment
Riverside
Median Income
$24,274
$83,448 vs $59,174/yr
Riverside
Summer Heat
15.5°F warmer
July avg high 95.3°F vs 79.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Green Bay, WI | Riverside, 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 | $485,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $864 ✓ Lower | $1,711⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,174 | $83,448 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.0 min ✓ Shorter | 31.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 8.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer | 147⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 130⚠ High ✓ Safer | 155⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 62 ✓ Safer | 135⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (101) ✓ Better | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 23.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 25.1% ✓ Higher | 24.4% |
| High School or Higher | 88.5% ✓ Higher | 82.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Green Bay Area Public School District | Riverside Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 24.5°F | 69.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 79.8°F | 95.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.2" | 10.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 55.6" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 106,846 | 316,076 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.6 ✓ Older | 32.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.2% ✓ Higher | 55.5% |
| Under 18 | 24.0% ✓ More | 23.6% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% ✓ More | 11.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Green Bay's cost of living index is 92.1 vs Riverside's 107.9 (US average = 100).
Green Bay is 16% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Green Bay leads 16 of 23 categories. Green Bay wins 16 and Riverside 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 Riverside or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($172,700 vs $485,500 median home), income ($59,174 vs $83,448), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Green Bay, WI and Riverside, CA are about 1,723 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.