What is the cost of living in La Crosse, WI?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, La Crosse has an overall cost of living index of 94, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Wisconsin, La Crosse has a cost of living index that's 1.0x lower than Wisconsin's index of 98.
The standard of living in La Crosse ranks as #45 most affordable out of the 146 places we measured in Wisconsin. By definition, that implies La Crosse ranks as the #101 most expensive place in the Badger State.
For more reading on life in La Crosse, check out:
La Crosse Cost Of Living Vs. Wisconsin
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in La Crosse. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in La Crosse is 100.
The Groceries index in La Crosse is 101.
The Health index in La Crosse is 86.
The Housing index in La Crosse is 94.
The Transportation index in La Crosse is 105.
The Utilities index in La Crosse is 101.
| Living Expense | La Crosse | Wisconsin | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 94 | 98 | 100 |
| Services | 100 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 101 | 100 | 100 |
| Health | 86 | 91 | 100 |
| Housing | 94 | 99 | 100 |
| Transportation | 105 | 102 | 100 |
| Utilities | 101 | 100 | 100 |
La Crosse Cost Of Living Compared To Wisconsin Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Wisconsin, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in La Crosse Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
La Crosse, WI Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Wisconsin, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in La Crosse is $276,421.
The Median Rent in La Crosse is $1,010.
The Median Income in La Crosse is $55,866.
The Home Value To Income in La Crosse is 4.9x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in La Crosse is 0.22x.
La Crosse, WI Costs By Category
Detailed La Crosse Services costs vs. Wisconsin
Detailed La Crosse Groceries costs vs. Wisconsin
Detailed La Crosse Health costs vs. Wisconsin
Detailed La Crosse Transportation costs vs. Wisconsin
La Crosse SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around La Crosse
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around La Crosse. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Winona, MN has a cost of living index of 95, 1.0x La Crosse.
Onalaska, WI has a cost of living index of 100, 1.1x La Crosse.
Holmen, WI has a cost of living index of 100, 1.1x La Crosse.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. La Crosse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winona, MN | 26,009 | 95 | 1.0x |
| Onalaska, WI | 19,348 | 100 | 1.1x |
| Holmen, WI | 11,372 | 100 | 1.1x |
| Sparta, WI | 9,950 | 93 | 1.0x |
| Tomah, WI | 9,532 | 93 | 1.0x |
| Decorah, IA | 7,535 | 98 | 1.0x |
| West Salem, WI | 5,330 | 100 | 1.1x |
| La Crescent, MN | 5,251 | 98 | 1.0x |
