salaryRent is lower than in 75% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.5 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 15.9 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $48,440 a year. That is $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Wisconsin cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Wisconsin. It is number 57 of 156 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in La Crosse?
Share of households by yearly income. 15.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in La Crosse
| Size | La Crosse | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $740 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $934 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,229 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,393 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,018 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is La Crosse overall?
Everyday prices in the La Crosse-Onalaska metro area are 8% below the U.S. average (index 91.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in La Crosse
Life in La Crosse
What jobs pay in La Crosse
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $159,020 | 9.1% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $125,390 | 11.6% |
| Lawyer | $104,910 | 13.9% |
| Operations Manager | $102,670 | 14.2% |
| Software Developer | $102,110 | 14.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $101,360 | 14.3% |
| Registered Nurse | $98,370 | 14.8% |
| Dental Hygienist | $95,950 | 15.1% |
| Civil Engineer | $95,870 | 15.2% |
| Plumber | $82,610 | 17.6% |
| Electrician | $78,760 | 18.5% |
| Accountant | $76,680 | 19.0% |
| Police Officer | $74,050 | 19.6% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $63,950 | 22.7% |
| HVAC Technician | $62,400 | 23.3% |
| Market Research Analyst | $61,930 | 23.5% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,690 | 23.9% |
| Truck Driver | $60,300 | 24.1% |
| Carpenter | $58,950 | 24.7% |
| Medical Assistant | $47,960 | 30.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $45,820 | 31.7% |
| Nursing Assistant | $43,510 | 33.4% |
| Warehouse Worker | $42,800 | 34.0% |
| Firefighter | $38,900 | 37.4% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,260 | 40.1% |
| Retail Salesperson | $34,090 | 42.6% |
| Cashier | $30,900 | 47.0% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $28,380 | 51.2% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in La Crosse?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $247 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $210,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $21,010 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in La Crosse, WI?
Renting in La Crosse costs a median of about $1,211 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Wisconsin median is $1,305.
How much do I need to make to live in La Crosse?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $48,440 a year, or $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is La Crosse cheap or expensive?
La Crosse is rated OK: rent takes 24.1% of the typical household income of $60,251. It ranks 57th cheapest of 156 Wisconsin cities we track.
How much are property taxes in La Crosse?
The median homeowner in La Crosse pays $3,854 a year in property taxes, about 1.83% of the median home value.
Is La Crosse more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 8% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in La Crosse?
The median home value in La Crosse is $210,100, about 3.5 times the typical yearly household income.
51,356 people live in La Crosse. Numbers are typical (middle) values.