Green Bay wins overall by ~3% (COL index)
Cost of living: Lexington vs Green Bay (2026)
A $75,000 salary in Lexington buys roughly what $72,472 does in Green Bay (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Slide to match your household — estimates combine take-home, rent, and groceries.
Estimated annual swing
+$1,020/yr
Favoring Lexington for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $85/mo in Lexington, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still increase your fun budget.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Lexington Kentucky | Green Bay Wisconsin | Who wins | Your impact at $60K |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,100 | $1,000Better | Green Bay wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Green Bay |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,350 | $1,250Better | Green Bay wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Green Bay |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,750 | $1,650Better | Green Bay wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Green Bay |
| Median home price | $270K | $225KWins | Green Bay wins −$45K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 96Better | 96 | — | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12Better | $12 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $52 | $50Better | Green Bay wins −$2/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $60 | $48Wins | Green Bay wins −$12/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.05Better | $3.20 | Lexington wins +$0.15 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $145 | $142Better | Green Bay wins −$3/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $158Better | $158 | — | — |
| Internet/mo | $60Better | $60 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $56KBetter | $54K | Lexington wins −$2K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.0%Wins | 7.7% | Lexington wins +3.7 pp | $2,220/yr saves in Lexington |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 6.0% | 5.4%Better | Green Bay wins -0.6 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $14.00Better | $14.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $35Better | $35 | — | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.50Better | $5.50 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 89 | 86Better | Green Bay wins -3 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 38Wins | 30 | Lexington wins -8 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$2,220/yr tax differences into cash back
Green Bay fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Green Bay.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
Ready to move?
Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lexington cheaper than Green Bay?
No. Green Bay is 3% cheaper than Lexington based on overall cost of living indices (86 vs 89, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Lexington vs Green Bay?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Lexington is $1,350/month and in Green Bay is $1,250/month. Lexington is more expensive by 8%.
How much do I need to earn in Green Bay to match a $75,000 salary in Lexington?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $72,472/year in Green Bay to match a $75,000 salary in Lexington. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Lexington or Green Bay?
Lexington has the lower state income tax rate at 4% vs 7.7%. The difference is 3.7 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Lexington to Green Bay?
It depends on your priorities. Green Bay offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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