CostIndexUSA

Duluth, MN vs La Crosse, WI Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableMN
Duluth
88.8
overall index
$1,750/mo rent
WI
La Crosse
91.8
overall index
$1,200/mo rent

Duluth is slightly cheaper than La Crosse — 3.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Duluth, you would need $82,700 in La Crosse. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing2.4%
Duluth
71.1
La Crosse
69.4
🛒 Groceries1.6%
Duluth
95.3
La Crosse
93.8
🚗 Transportation+7.9%
Duluth
96.8
La Crosse
104.4
🏥 Healthcare+7.9%
Duluth
87.6
La Crosse
94.5
Utilities+2.5%
Duluth
87.3
La Crosse
89.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in La Crosse, WI
$82,700
$2,700 more needed in La Crosse

Formula: salary × (91.8 ÷ 88.8) = salary × 1.0338. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Duluth, MN

Median Home Price
$245,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,750
Housing Index
71.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.7×

La Crosse, WI

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

Duluth has 2.4% lower housing costs compared to La Crosse.

Income & Job Market

Duluth, MN

Median Household Income
$70,200
Per Capita Income
$40,000
Unemployment Rate
2.8%
Population
89,127
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationShippingManufacturingTourism

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).

Duluth, MN
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% 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.