La Crosse, WI vs West Allis, WI

La Crosse, WI and West Allis, WI have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3% difference in their overall index. La Crosse scores 77 while West Allis scores 80 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 $1,012/month in West Allis — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while La Crosse has cheaper rent, West Allis actually has lower median home values ($191,700 vs $196,600).

Median household income in La Crosse is $53,803 compared to $69,685 in West Allis (-22.8%). While West Allis 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 17.4% in West Allis.