Ideal City
Loading map
Ideal CityFind a place
Find a place

La Crosse, Wisconsin

Among the top 13% of US places for getting around.

AffordabilityAffordability: grade C, better than 32% 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 6% for property crime

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 tax rate and property crime.

Official websitecityoflacrosse.org (opens in new tab)

Climate

Warm summers · Harsh winters · Moderate rain · Heavy snow

freez.
v.cold
cold
cool
comf.
warm
hot
warm
cool
cold
v.cold
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$1kbetter than 44% 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

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.
What is the median home value in La Crosse?
The median home value in La Crosse is $183k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
What is the median household income in La Crosse?
Median household income in La Crosse is $52k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
How much is rent in La Crosse?
Median gross rent in La Crosse is $941 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
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.

Places near La Crosse

Compare La Crosse

Explore Wisconsin

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)