Cost of Living in La Crosse County, Wisconsin
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How La Crosse County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
La Crosse County ranks #2,488 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 21%)
Sourced county brief
La Crosse County Official Rent Burden Measures 27.6 Percent
The official median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) in La Crosse County is 27.6 percent. This value is 2.3 percentage points above the Wisconsin unweighted county mean of 25.3 percent. According to the U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates, the median gross rent for the county was estimated at $1,059 per month, which is higher than the state unweighted county mean of $916 per month. Among owner-occupied housing units, the median selected monthly owner cost is $1,239, while the state unweighted county mean is $1,072. The median home value in the county is $257,000, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $234,086. Median renter-household income is $49,338. The 27.6 percent figure is the official ACS B25071 median gross rent as a percentage of household income among renter-occupied housing units. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: La Crosse County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 27.6% of renter household income in La Crosse County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,059 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,239. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $42,360 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Wisconsin unweighted mean of county median rents is $916 per month. La Crosse County's $1,059 median is 15.7% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in La Crosse County
Rent Burden
17.4%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,704
per month
Owner Cost Burden
20.4%
of gross income
The median home in La Crosse County may be a stretch
Median home value is $257,000. Estimated monthly cost: $2,052 vs. your max of $1,704.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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