Median rent is 45% lower in La Crosse ($977/mo vs $1,779/mo). Buying is cheaper in La Crosse, where the median home runs $196,600 versus $751,700. Households earn more in New York ($79,713 vs $53,803 a year).
City A
La Crosse, WI
City B
New York, NY
How much would you need to earn in New York, NY to maintain your standard of living from La Crosse, WI?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
La Crosse
Wisconsin
New York
New York
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in La Crosse — median rent of $977/mo versus $1,779/mo in New York, a 45% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in New York: the median home is $751,700 versus $196,600 in La Crosse — 74% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Wisconsin's top income tax rate is 7.65% versus 10.90% in New York, so La Crosse is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 5.00% in Wisconsin and 4.00% in New York; New York has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
La Crosse
Income tax: 7.65%
Sales tax: 5.00%
New York
Income tax: 10.90%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Air quality data is available for New York (avg AQI 61.0) but not yet for La Crosse.
Pick New York if you prioritize higher median household income ($79,713/yr).
Pick La Crosse if you prioritize cheaper rent ($977/mo median).
Pick La Crosse if you prioritize lower state income tax (7.65%).
Is La Crosse cheaper than New York?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in La Crosse vs New York?
Median rent is $977/mo in La Crosse, WI and $1,779/mo in New York, NY. La Crosse, WI has the lower rent by about 45%.
Which has higher salaries — La Crosse or New York?
Median household income is $53,803 in La Crosse, WI and $79,713 in New York, NY. New York, NY has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — La Crosse or New York?
Wisconsin's top income tax rate is 7.65% and New York's is 10.90%. La Crosse, WI has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in New York to match my La Crosse income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology