CostIndexUSA

Jersey City, NJ vs La Crosse, WI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NJ
Jersey City
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent
More AffordableWI
La Crosse
91.8
overall index
$1,200/mo rent

La Crosse is significantly cheaper than Jersey City — 18.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Jersey City, you would need $65,200 in La Crosse. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing53.3%
Jersey City
148.6
La Crosse
69.4
🛒 Groceries15.0%
Jersey City
110.3
La Crosse
93.8
🚗 Transportation6.0%
Jersey City
111.1
La Crosse
104.4
🏥 Healthcare6.0%
Jersey City
100.5
La Crosse
94.5
Utilities29.5%
Jersey City
127
La Crosse
89.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Jersey City to see what you'd need to earn in La Crosse to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in La Crosse, WI
$65,200
$14,800 less needed in La Crosse

Formula: salary × (91.8 ÷ 112.6) = salary × 0.8153. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Jersey City, NJ

Median Home Price
$703,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,225
Housing Index
148.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2×

La Crosse, WI

Median Home Price
$315,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,200
Housing Index
69.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.9×

Jersey City has 53.3% lower housing costs compared to La Crosse.

Income & Job Market

Jersey City, NJ

Median Household Income
$95,200
Per Capita Income
$54,300
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
Population
292,449
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareTechnologyRetailGovernment

La Crosse, WI

Median Household Income
$71,300
Per Capita Income
$40,600
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
Population
52,680
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingRetailTourism

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Jersey City, NJ
2.5×income-to-rent ratio

59% of income left after rent (median)

La Crosse, WI
5.0×income-to-rent ratio

80% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.