ZIP Code · WI

ZIP 54601

Part of La Crosse, WI

Pop. 50,397·La Crosse County·54th most expensive ZIP in Wisconsin

Median rent (all units)

$1,414/mo

Year-over-Year

+5.6%

Month-over-Month

+0.7%

vs US Median

-$518

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss 54601 rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 54601 · $1,414

More affordable than 79% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$810

1 BR

$900

2 BR

$1,180

3 BR

$1,530

4 BR+

$1,930

Research median

$1,180/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 54601 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in November 2022.

Past year vs. the rest of Wisconsin

Rent in ZIP 54601 changed +5.6% over the year to September 2026. Across the 71 Wisconsin ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +5.6%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 2 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($61,639) is $1,541 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($1,530); a 4-bedroom is $1,930.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 54603, 6 miles away, rents for 34% less ($940/mo), about $5,700 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 54601. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$16,968/yr

At $1,414/mo median

Location

CityLa Crosse

StateWI

CountyLa Crosse County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 5.6% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+5.6% YoY, +0.7% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 54601 (La Crosse, WI) is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 39.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

50,397

Median income

$61,639

Median age

32.7

Renters

46%

Age distribution

15%

38.1%

19.5%

17.8%

Under 1815%

18–3438.1%

35–5419.5%

55–649.6%

65+17.8%

Gender

48.5%

51.5%

Male48.5%

Female51.5%

Race & ethnicity

88.6%

White88.6%

Black1.8%

Hispanic3%

Asian4%

Other2.5%

Education (25+)

22.1%

35.3%

39.5%

No HS diploma3%

HS diploma22.1%

Some college35.3%

Bachelor's+39.5%

Housing tenure

54%

46%

Owner54%

Renter46%

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

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 54601 in La Crosse, WI has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,210 → $1,414

up 16.9%

Income

$52,113 → $61,639

up 18.3%

Population

51,393 → 50,397

down 1.9%

Renter share

45.2% → 46%

+0.8 pts

Bachelor's+

38.8% → 39.5%

+0.7 pts

Median age

30.7 → 32.7

+2.0 yrs

Compared with 2023, rent in ZIP 54601 in La Crosse, WI has climbed by $204 per month, settling near $1,414 after starting the period at $1,210. Household income in the area moved from $52,113 to $61,639 across the same window, up 18.3% versus 2021. Headcount in the area went from 51,393 to 50,397 between 2021 and 2024, a 1.9% change. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in ZIP 54601 in La Crosse, WI look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about ZIP 54601

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 54601

About renting in ZIP 54601

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 54601 covers La Crosse, WI. The median rent here is $1,414/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $900/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,180/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($61,639/yr), ZIP 54601 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 54601?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $57,000/year (about $27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,414/mo in ZIP 54601. The local median household income is $61,639/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 54601?

Rent in ZIP 54601 has risen 5.6% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in November 2022.

How does ZIP 54601 compare to other ZIPs in Wisconsin?

ZIP 54601 is in the middle among Wisconsin ZIP codes for rent, ranking #54 of 103 at $1,414/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 54601 changed +5.6%, against a typical +5.6% across the 71 Wisconsin ZIP codes Zillow tracks.