CostIndexUSA

La Crosse, WI vs Monroe, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WI
La Crosse
91.8
overall index
$1,200/mo rent
More AffordableLA
Monroe
83.6
overall index
$1,100/mo rent

Monroe is moderately cheaper than La Crosse — 8.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in La Crosse, you would need $72,900 in Monroe. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing38.3%
La Crosse
69.4
Monroe
42.8
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
La Crosse
93.8
Monroe
93.7
🚗 Transportation3.7%
La Crosse
104.4
Monroe
100.5
🏥 Healthcare3.8%
La Crosse
94.5
Monroe
90.9
Utilities19.3%
La Crosse
89.5
Monroe
72.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Monroe, LA
$72,900
$7,100 less needed in Monroe

Formula: salary × (83.6 ÷ 91.8) = salary × 0.9107. 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×

Monroe, LA

Median Home Price
$157,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,100
Housing Index
42.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.9×

La Crosse has 38.3% lower housing costs compared to Monroe.

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

Monroe, LA

Median Household Income
$50,300
Per Capita Income
$28,700
Unemployment Rate
7.3%
Population
47,252
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingGovernmentRetail

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)

Monroe, LA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.