City Report · WI

La Crosse

Pop. 51,356·56th most expensive in Wisconsin·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,080/mo
Year-over-Year
+0.3%
Month-over-Month
-2.4%
vs US Median
-$885
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
La Crosse · $1,080
More affordable than 96% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
63/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 6% below what La Crosse's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,080/mo
Expected by trend
$1,153/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where La Crosse's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$775
1 BR
$860
2 BR
$1,130
3 BR
$1,490
4 BR+
$1,880
Research median
$1,130/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$12,960/yr
At $1,080/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (up only 0.3% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.3% YoY, -2.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

La Crosse, WI is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 34.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
51,356
Median income
$55,866
Median age
30.5
Renters
53.9%
Age distribution
14.6%
40.9%
18.1%
17.1%
Under 1814.6%
18–3440.9%
35–5418.1%
55–649.3%
65+17.1%
Gender
48.5%
51.5%
Male48.5%
Female51.5%
Race & ethnicity
87.3%
White87.3%
Black2.1%
Hispanic3.4%
Asian4.4%
Other2.9%
Education (25+)
24%
37.1%
34.9%
No HS diploma3.9%
HS diploma24%
Some college37.1%
Bachelor's+34.9%
Housing tenure
46.1%
53.9%
Owner46.1%
Renter53.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2022 vs 2026

How La Crosse, WI has changed in 5 years

Rent
$873 → $1,080
up 23.7%
Income
$47,067 → $55,866
up 18.7%
Population
52,505 → 51,356
down 2.2%
Renter share
54.2% → 53.9%
-0.3 pts
Bachelor's+
34.5% → 34.9%
+0.4 pts
Median age
29.4 → 30.5
+1.1 yrs

Five years ago, renters in La Crosse, WI paid around $873 a month. That figure now sits near $1,080, up 23.7% from the 2022 baseline. Census figures show median household income at $55,866 today, compared with $47,067 five years earlier. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show La Crosse, WI losing about 1,149 residents over the five-year window, down 2.2% on net. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2022.

Community

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View La Crosse rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in La Crosse on your salary?

At $1,080/mo, how La Crosse rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

La Crosse rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in La Crosse. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in La Crosse

About renting in La Crosse, WI

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in La Crosse is $1,080/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $775/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,130/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $860/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,490/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($55,866/yr), La Crosse ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is La Crosse an affordable city for renters?

La Crosse is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,080/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the local median household income ($55,866/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. La Crosse falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in La Crosse?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $43,000/year (~$21/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,080/mo in La Crosse. The local median household income is $55,866/yr, meaning the typical La Crosse household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in La Crosse?

Rent in La Crosse has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.3% change year over year as of July 2026.

Which La Crosse neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in La Crosse are 54603 ($907/mo), and 54601 ($1,129/mo). Citywide, the median rent in La Crosse is $1,080/mo.

How does La Crosse rent compare to other cities in Wisconsin?

La Crosse is one of the more affordable cities in Wisconsin for rent, ranking #56 out of 62 tracked cities at $1,080/mo.

What percentage of La Crosse residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 53.9% of La Crosse households are renters, while 46.1% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, La Crosse has a strong rental market.

How does La Crosse rent compare to the national average?

La Crosse's median rent of $1,080/mo is $885 (45%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Wisconsin, it ranks #56 out of 62 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
23%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,080/mo, rent takes ~23% of La Crosse's median household income ($55,866/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

La Crosse 23%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.5–7.65%
Run the La Crosse affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in La Crosse
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near La Crosse, WI

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