Grinnell, KS vs La Crosse, KS

Grinnell, KS and La Crosse, KS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.7% difference in their overall index. Grinnell scores 58 while La Crosse scores 61 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 Grinnell is $540/month compared to $744/month in La Crosse — a 27% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Grinnell has cheaper rent, La Crosse actually has lower median home values ($82,800 vs $123,400).

Median household income in Grinnell is $62,500 compared to $50,872 in La Crosse (+22.9%). Grinnell offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Grinnell spend roughly 10.4% of their income on rent, less than the 17.5% in La Crosse.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.2°F vs 54.8°F). La Crosse receives more rainfall at 24.8" per year compared to 19.3" in Grinnell.