Franklin, WI vs La Crosse, WI

The cost of living difference between Franklin, WI and La Crosse, WI is dramatic. La Crosse is 31.4% cheaper than Franklin, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Franklin has a cost index of 102 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 Franklin is $1,325/month compared to $977/month in La Crosse — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: La Crosse is more affordable at $196,600 median vs $343,400.

Median household income in Franklin is $108,342 compared to $53,803 in La Crosse (+101.4%). While Franklin is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Franklin spend roughly 14.7% of their income on rent, less than the 21.8% in La Crosse.