CostIndexUSA

La Crosse, WI vs Napa, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableWI
La Crosse
91.8
overall index
$1,200/mo rent
CA
Napa
112.6
overall index
$2,825/mo rent

La Crosse is significantly cheaper than Napa — 22.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in La Crosse, you would need $98,100 in Napa. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+184.4%
La Crosse
69.4
Napa
197.4
🛒 Groceries+12.2%
La Crosse
93.8
Napa
105.2
🚗 Transportation+0.9%
La Crosse
104.4
Napa
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+0.8%
La Crosse
94.5
Napa
95.3
Utilities+74.9%
La Crosse
89.5
Napa
156.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Napa, CA
$98,100
$18,100 more needed in Napa

Formula: salary × (112.6 ÷ 91.8) = salary × 1.2266. 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×

Napa, CA

Median Home Price
$867,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,825
Housing Index
197.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.6×

Napa has 184.4% higher housing costs compared to La Crosse.

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

Napa, CA

Median Household Income
$104,700
Per Capita Income
$59,700
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
79,426
Top Industries
WineTourismHealthcareAgricultureRetail

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)

Napa, CA
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

68% 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.