La Crosse, WI vs Middleton, WI

The cost of living difference between La Crosse, WI and Middleton, WI is dramatic. La Crosse is 31% cheaper than Middleton, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. La Crosse has a cost index of 77 while Middleton sits at 112, 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 La Crosse is $977/month compared to $1,357/month in Middleton — a 28% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: La Crosse is more affordable at $196,600 median vs $457,400.

Median household income in La Crosse is $53,803 compared to $85,526 in Middleton (-37.1%). While Middleton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of La Crosse spend roughly 21.8% of their income on rent, more than the 19% in Middleton.