La Crosse, WI vs Racine, WI

La Crosse, WI and Racine, WI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.8% difference in their overall index. La Crosse scores 77 while Racine scores 76 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 La Crosse is $977/month compared to $983/month in Racine — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while La Crosse has cheaper rent, Racine actually has lower median home values ($158,100 vs $196,600).

Median household income in La Crosse is $53,803 compared to $55,705 in Racine (-3.4%). Racine offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of La Crosse spend roughly 21.8% of their income on rent, more than the 21.2% in Racine.