CostIndexUSA

La Crosse, WI vs Newark, NJ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableWI
La Crosse
91.8
overall index
$1,200/mo rent
NJ
Newark
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent

La Crosse is significantly cheaper than Newark — 22.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in La Crosse, you would need $98,100 in Newark. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+114.1%
La Crosse
69.4
Newark
148.6
🛒 Groceries+17.6%
La Crosse
93.8
Newark
110.3
🚗 Transportation+6.4%
La Crosse
104.4
Newark
111.1
🏥 Healthcare+6.3%
La Crosse
94.5
Newark
100.5
Utilities+41.9%
La Crosse
89.5
Newark
127

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Newark, NJ
$98,100
$18,100 more needed in Newark

Formula: salary × (112.6 ÷ 91.8) = salary × 1.2266. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

La Crosse, WI

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

Newark, NJ

Median Home Price
$703,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,225
Housing Index
148.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2×

Newark has 114.1% higher housing costs compared to La Crosse.

Income & Job Market

La Crosse, WI

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

Newark, NJ

Median Household Income
$95,200
Per Capita Income
$54,300
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
Population
311,549
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingLogisticsGovernmentFinance

Affordability at a Glance

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

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

80% of income left after rent (median)

Newark, NJ
2.5×income-to-rent ratio

59% 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.