Brookfield, WI vs La Crosse, WI

The cost of living difference between Brookfield, WI and La Crosse, WI is dramatic. La Crosse is 57.8% cheaper than Brookfield, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Brookfield has a cost index of 122 while La Crosse sits at 77, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Brookfield is $1,794/month compared to $977/month in La Crosse — a 84% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: La Crosse is more affordable at $196,600 median vs $419,300.

Median household income in Brookfield is $124,026 compared to $53,803 in La Crosse (+130.5%). While Brookfield is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Brookfield spend roughly 17.4% of their income on rent, less than the 21.8% in La Crosse.