CostIndexUSA

La Crosse, WI vs McAllen, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WI
La Crosse
91.8
overall index
$1,200/mo rent
More AffordableTX
McAllen
85.9
overall index
$1,100/mo rent

McAllen is moderately cheaper than La Crosse — 6.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in La Crosse, you would need $74,900 in McAllen. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing19.5%
La Crosse
69.4
McAllen
55.9
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
La Crosse
93.8
McAllen
93.8
🚗 Transportation3.2%
La Crosse
104.4
McAllen
101.1
🏥 Healthcare3.3%
La Crosse
94.5
McAllen
91.4
Utilities9.3%
La Crosse
89.5
McAllen
81.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in McAllen, TX
$74,900
$5,100 less needed in McAllen

Formula: salary × (85.9 ÷ 91.8) = salary × 0.9357. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

La Crosse, WI

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

McAllen, TX

Median Home Price
$188,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,100
Housing Index
55.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.2×

La Crosse has 19.5% lower housing costs compared to McAllen.

Income & Job Market

La Crosse, WI

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

McAllen, TX

Median Household Income
$53,700
Per Capita Income
$30,600
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
Population
142,212
Top Industries
International TradeHealthcareRetailGovernmentEducation

Affordability at a Glance

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

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

80% of income left after rent (median)

McAllen, TX
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.