Living in Green Bay, WI
Explore Things To Do, Cost of Living, Top Restaurants and More

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• 2025 Top 100 Best Places to Live

Thinking of moving to Green Bay, WI? You’ve come to the right place! You will find all the details about living here, from insight into the quality of life and cost of living to details about industry and job opportunities to lists of fun things to do.

Why You’ll Love Living in Green Bay, WI

You know Green Bay, WI, for Packers football and squeaky cheese curds. But this beautiful city of 106,583 people is also known for promoting strong community bonds and providing residents with an exceptionally high quality of life. 

This family-friendly Midwest city has many surprises in store, including great beer, a bustling riverfront boardwalk along the Fox River and a must-visit botanic garden. Friendly neighborhoods and annual festivals unite people from all over the city to celebrate everything from nationally recognized holidays to local traditions, like the Packers players riding children’s bikes to training camp.

As far as jobs are concerned, the economy in Green Bay thrives with employment opportunities in industries like manufacturing, health care and education. Schneider, Bellin Health and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay are among the many key players in the local market. Housing prices here are well below the national average (nearly 20%!), and the city has one of the largest school districts in the state. The trifecta of employment, education and entertainment understandably all contribute to the city’s excellent quality of life.

Green Bay is a spirited city perched in northeastern Wisconsin, about 120 miles north of Milwaukee, where Interstate 43 and U.S. Route 41 meet. Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport is 6 miles southwest, offering flights to Chicago, Minneapolis and beyond. When you’re ready to venture out, here’s how close you are to some major nearby cities:  

• Appleton sits just 30 miles southwest, boasting the Hearthstone Historic House, the Fox River Mall and the History Museum at the Castle.
• Milwaukee is 120 miles south, where you can stroll the Riverwalk, visit the Milwaukee Public Market or cheer on the Bucks.
• Madison lies 140 miles southwest, boasting the Wisconsin State Capitol, Lake Mendota and the Olbrich Botanical Gardens.

It’s no secret that winter here can be harsh, but this Midwestern gem offers four distinct seasons: warm summers and pleasant shoulder seasons. Although it is located on Lake Michigan, it is shielded from lake effects by the Door Peninsula, which results in more variable weather.

Life is good in Green Bay, thanks to ample opportunities to create a career. Some of the largest industries in Green Bay are manufacturing, health care and retail. Schneider National, Georgia-Pacific and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay are all major employers. It should also come as no surprise that the Packers impact the economy, with the Green Bay Packers team being one of the city’s largest employers and significantly affecting employment, tourism and related activities. 

The cost of living in Green Bay is significantly lower than the national average. The median home value in Green Bay is $206,179, and the average household income is $83,328. 

Wisconsin residents pay a state income tax, and local residents can expect a 5.5% sales tax rate in 2025.

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Packers pride runs deep in Green Bay. The Packers are the one NFL team owned by its fans. The community’s ownership of the team fosters a strong sense of pride and connection, and love is reciprocated back into the community. The Packers organization is highly involved in local charities and initiatives and is often seen out and about in town. A favorite tradition in town is that players ride children’s bikes to training camp.

Get going in Green Bay! The city’s strong sense of community is evident from its numerous annual festivals and community celebrations. Celebrate local arts at Artstreet or the holidays at Prevea Green Bay Holiday Parade and Christkindlmarket. The arts are alive and well, thanks to spots like the Meyer Theatre, Weidner Center for the Performing Arts and Resch Center hosting Broadway shows, concerts and national acts. The Art Garage and the Green Bay Film Festival provide platforms for local and national artists, while events like the Festival of Cultures celebrate the city’s diverse communities. Check out the summer music series at parks during the warmer months, and CityDeck offers laid-back family fun.

Speaking of family-friendly, this Wisconsin city is full of things for kids of all ages, including the historic Zippin Pippin roller coaster at Bay Beach Amusement Park and numerous museums and parks. Shop ’til you drop at the numerous boutique shops in downtown Green Bay. The city’s farmers markets, like the Farmers Market on Broadway and Saturday Farmers Market, offer fresh produce and local goods.

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Explore Green Bay’s great outdoors, with plenty of activities catering to warm and cold climates. During the warmer months, residents can enjoy watersports and fish on the Bay of Green Bay and Fox River and golf at various courses around town. Fisk and Tank parks offer splash pads for families, and the Fox River State Recreational Trail provides scenic routes for biking and walking. The Green Bay Botanical Garden and Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary offer beautiful natural spaces for exploration and relaxation.

When the temperature drops, Green Bay residents can still explore the wintertime wonders of Wisconsin with cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and fat-tire biking. Ice fishing is a popular pastime, and the Titletown recreation complex offers ice skating and tubing. Year-round, residents can explore the Ice Age Trail for hiking and enjoy the natural beauty of the Niagara Escarpment at parks like Bay Shore Park and Fonferek’s Glen. The city’s numerous parks and trails — 69 parks and 15 greenways, to be exact! — provide ample space for residents to connect with nature.

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Green Bay has plenty of restaurants, whether you’re looking for a casual bite or fine dining. Foodies can enjoy Midwestern comforts and international flavors. Locals love supper clubs — a Wisconsin tradition — and favorites are Club Chalet and Kropp’s. There are several different ethnic cuisines across town, and favorites are Angelina Restaurant, Los Banditos and Taste of India.

Green Bay’s beer scene is a real highlight, with breweries like Badger State Brewing, Titletown Brewing and Stillmank Brewing offering a range of award-winning brews.

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Local families and potential transplants appreciate the quality of the Green Bay Area Public School District (GBAPS). Most students here attend schools within the system, with an enrollment of nearly 19,000 students. The district offers specialized programs, specialty schools and charter schools. For private education, there are several highly rated schools in the city, many of which are religiously affiliated.

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