Janesville, WI vs La Crosse, WI

Janesville, WI and La Crosse, WI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.1% difference in their overall index. Janesville scores 81 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 Janesville is $1,037/month compared to $977/month in La Crosse — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: La Crosse is more affordable at $196,600 median vs $209,700.

Median household income in Janesville is $71,664 compared to $53,803 in La Crosse (+33.2%). While Janesville is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Janesville spend roughly 17.4% of their income on rent, less than the 21.8% in La Crosse.