La Crosse, Wisconsin
Among the top 13% of US places for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade D, better than 21% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade D, better than 16% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade D, better than 18% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade A, better than 87% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade C, better than 46% of US places
- top 2% for walkability
- top 5% for commute time
- bottom 3% for monthly owner costs
La Crosse is a mid-size city in Wisconsin with about 52,000 residents. It grades A for getting around and D for weather. Standout strengths include walkability, commute time, and sales tax. It rates lower on property crime and monthly owner costs.
- The median home value in La Crosse is $183k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median household income in La Crosse is $52k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median gross rent in La Crosse is $941 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- La Crosse has a violent crime rate of 1309/100k, per the FBI Uniform Crime Reports.
- The average one-way commute in La Crosse is 17 min, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
Climate
Warm summers · Harsh winters · Moderate rain · Heavy snow
freez.
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71%48%clearovercast
Precipitation 4.7 in1.2 in
humid 100%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$52k31st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$46kbetter than 51% of US places
Home Value$183k57th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$941better than 47% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$10kbetter than 3% of US places
Property Tax Rate2.12%better than 8% of US places
Income Tax7.60%better than 20% of US places
Sales Tax5.70%better than 93% of US places
Estimated total tax burden16.99%better than 12% of US places
Unemployment3.5%better than 53% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)19°F10th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)75°F41st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation37.5 in36th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall54.2 inbetter than 11% of US places
Sunny Days216 daysbetter than 32% of US places
Summer Humidity63°Fbetter than 59% of US places
Comfortable Days82 daysbetter than 50% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk50.4better than 70% of US places
Air Quality51 AQIbetter than 17% of US places
School Quality66.7better than 62% of US places
Violent Crime1309/100kbetter than 23% of US places
Property Crime3132/100kbetter than 6% of US places
Community
Population52,04397th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age30.09th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.2049th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9440th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningD+1418th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)88.3%57th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)2.1%66th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)2.4%42nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)4.0%88th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)3.1%53rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time17 minbetter than 95% of US places
Walkability14.1/20better than 98% of US places
Airport Distance123 mibetter than 26% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access85.0%better than 45% of US places
Amenities Nearby47.65better than 38% of US places
Park & Nature AccessGoodbetter than 65% of US places
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is La Crosse an affordable place to live?
- La Crosse is about average in cost. Its cost-of-living index is $46k, better than 51% of comparable areas. Median rent is $941.
- Is La Crosse safe?
- La Crosse is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1309/100k (better than 23%). Property crime is 3132/100k.
- What is the weather like in La Crosse?
- La Crosse averages 75°F in July and 19°F in January, with 37.5 in of annual precipitation and about 216 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in La Crosse?
- Public-school quality in La Crosse is above average, scoring better than 62% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in La Crosse?
- The average one-way commute in La Crosse is 17 min.