Moving from Green Bay, WI to Chattanooga, TN
It is 774 mi between Green Bay and Chattanooga β roughly 15h 5m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
774 mi Β· 15h 5m by car Β· TN β KY β IN β IL β WI
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β KY β IN β IL β WI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, I 43, WI 57 |
| Major cities en route | Chicago, Naperville, Elgin, Milwaukee |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Green Bay | Chattanooga | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.086 | 91.464 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.041 | 74.209 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 95.994 | 100.0 |
| Services | 74.696 | 76.55 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 1.7% above Green Bay β $278,024 β $319,579 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Green Bay +5.9%, Chattanooga -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Green Bay | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 9Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 32.4" | 55.0" |
Annual average temperature gap of 17.2Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Light snow year: Chattanooga gets around 3.6 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: GREEN BAY BOTANICAL, WI US, CHATTANOOGA LOVELL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Green Bay | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,585 | 182,832 |
| Median household income | $62,546 | $61,028 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.35 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chattanooga MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 34,970 | $39,520 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 27,430 | $36,320 |
| Production Occupations | 26,510 | $43,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 24,780 | $27,910 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 22,460 | $31,750 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Wisconsin and Tennessee
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Tennessee's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Chattanooga average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Chattanooga averages 55.0 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (17.2Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Tennessee after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Chattanooga compare to Green Bay?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,150 in the Chattanooga MSA vs $47,410 in the Green Bay MSA, on total employment of 261,750 and 171,590 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Green Bay vs Chattanooga?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $61,028 in Chattanooga vs $62,546 in Green Bay β a 2.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Chattanooga more expensive than Green Bay?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chattanooga is 1.7% lower than Green Bay (91.464 vs 93.086, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Green Bay to Chattanooga?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 774 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Chattanooga, TN from Green Bay, WI?
The driving distance is 774 mi and the route typically takes 15h 5m via I 65 and I 43. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Chattanooga compared to Green Bay?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $319,579 in Chattanooga vs $278,024 in Green Bay β a 14.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Green Bay.
City profiles: Green Bay, WI Β· Chattanooga, TN.