La Crosse, WI vs Wausau, WI

Wausau is moderately more affordable than La Crosse, with a 5.6% lower cost of living index. La Crosse scores 77 compared to 73 for Wausau, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of La Crosse can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in La Crosse is $977/month compared to $950/month in Wausau — a 3% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Wausau is more affordable at $155,900 median vs $196,600.

Median household income in La Crosse is $53,803 compared to $61,877 in Wausau (-13%). Wausau 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 18.4% in Wausau.