Eau Claire, WI vs La Crosse, WI

Eau Claire, WI and La Crosse, WI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.5% difference in their overall index. Eau Claire scores 80 while La Crosse scores 77 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Eau Claire is $971/month compared to $977/month in La Crosse — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Eau Claire has cheaper rent, La Crosse actually has lower median home values ($196,600 vs $228,000).

Median household income in Eau Claire is $65,369 compared to $53,803 in La Crosse (+21.5%). While Eau Claire is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Eau Claire spend roughly 17.8% of their income on rent, less than the 21.8% in La Crosse.