Cost of Living in La Crosse, WI

With a cost of living index of 77, La Crosse, WI is a very affordable place to live. Living here is 23% cheaper than the national average and in line with the Wisconsin state average. With a population of 51,791, La Crosse is a mid-sized community that balances access to services with a more manageable cost of living compared to larger metros.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in La Crosse's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $977 (26% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $196,600 (36% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 3.7x the median household income — a moderately affordable ratio by today's standards.

The median household income in La Crosse is $53,803, which is 28% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 22% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. Lower incomes here are balanced by the significantly lower cost of living, stretching each dollar further.

Everyday prices in the La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area are generally below the national average. Out of 6 common items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6 are priced lower than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.