CostIndexUSA

Aurora, IL vs La Crosse, WI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IL
Aurora
103.6
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableWI
La Crosse
91.8
overall index
$1,200/mo rent

La Crosse is moderately cheaper than Aurora — 11.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Aurora, you would need $70,900 in La Crosse. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing38.0%
Aurora
112
La Crosse
69.4
🛒 Groceries12.6%
Aurora
107.3
La Crosse
93.8
🚗 Transportation1.0%
Aurora
105.5
La Crosse
104.4
🏥 Healthcare1.0%
Aurora
95.5
La Crosse
94.5
Utilities+7.1%
Aurora
83.6
La Crosse
89.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in La Crosse, WI
$70,900
$9,100 less needed in La Crosse

Formula: salary × (91.8 ÷ 103.6) = salary × 0.8861. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Aurora, IL

Median Home Price
$334,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
112
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

La Crosse, WI

Median Home Price
$315,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,200
Housing Index
69.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.9×

Aurora has 38.0% lower housing costs compared to La Crosse.

Income & Job Market

Aurora, IL

Median Household Income
$87,100
Per Capita Income
$49,600
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
197,899
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareRetailTechnologyFinance

La Crosse, WI

Median Household Income
$71,300
Per Capita Income
$40,600
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
Population
52,680
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingRetailTourism

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Aurora, IL
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

La Crosse, WI
5.0×income-to-rent ratio

80% 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.