CostIndexUSA

Cedar Rapids, IA vs La Crosse, WI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableIA
Cedar Rapids
89
overall index
$1,100/mo rent
WI
La Crosse
91.8
overall index
$1,200/mo rent

Cedar Rapids is slightly cheaper than La Crosse — 3.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Cedar Rapids, you would need $82,500 in La Crosse. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing2.8%
Cedar Rapids
71.4
La Crosse
69.4
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Cedar Rapids
93.7
La Crosse
93.8
🚗 Transportation+7.0%
Cedar Rapids
97.6
La Crosse
104.4
🏥 Healthcare+7.0%
Cedar Rapids
88.3
La Crosse
94.5
Utilities+6.5%
Cedar Rapids
84
La Crosse
89.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in La Crosse, WI
$82,500
$2,500 more needed in La Crosse

Formula: salary × (91.8 ÷ 89) = salary × 1.0315. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Cedar Rapids, IA

Median Home Price
$230,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,100
Housing Index
71.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.4×

La Crosse, WI

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

Cedar Rapids has 2.8% lower housing costs compared to La Crosse.

Income & Job Market

Cedar Rapids, IA

Median Household Income
$73,600
Per Capita Income
$42,000
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
133,562
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareFinanceTechnologyAgriculture

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).

Cedar Rapids, IA
5.6×income-to-rent ratio

82% 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.