Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than La Crosse, WI?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 8.9% cheaper than La Crosse, WI. This translates to saving $666 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in La Crosse, WI?

If you earn $150,000 in La Crosse, WI, you'd need approximately $142,013.008 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between La Crosse, WI and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 17.0% cheaper than in La Crosse, WI. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $873/month in La Crosse, WI.

How much can I save per month by moving from La Crosse, WI to St. Louis, MO?

Moving from La Crosse, WI to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $666 per month, or $7987 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

La Crosse, WI vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 La Crosse, WI — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Madison, WI area

Current salary in La Crosse, WI

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $666/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $142.0K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↓ 8.9%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$666

Savings

Annual Impact

$8.0K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

La Crosse, WI

Population:51K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$255K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:91

Median Home:$145K

La Crosse, WI

The Badger State

51K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Wisconsin, this city has a population of 51K residents.

St. Louis, MO

The Show-Me State

302K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Missouri, this city has a population of 302K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: La Crosse, WI vs St. Louis, MO

Category	La Crosse, WI	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,254/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $383less	17.0%
🏥Healthcare	$685/mo	$527/mo	↓ $159less	23.2%
🚗Transportation	$1,279/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $63.58less	5.0%
⚡All Utilities	$485/mo	$535/mo	↑ $50.92more	10.5%
🛒Groceries	$915/mo	$949/mo	↑ $34.56more	3.8%
📦Other	$1,629/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $21.61less	1.3%

🏠Housing

↓ 17.0%

La Crosse, WI

$2,254

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$383

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 23.2%

La Crosse, WI

$685

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$159

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 5.0%

La Crosse, WI

$1,279

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$63.58

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 10.5%

La Crosse, WI

$485

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$50.92

🛒Groceries

↑ 3.8%

La Crosse, WI

$915

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$34.56

📦Other

↓ 1.3%

La Crosse, WI

$1,629

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$21.61

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

St. Louis, MO: St. Louis Earnings Tax$1,500/yr (1.0%)

La Crosse, WI has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$599

To$910

↑ $311

1 Bed

From$669

To$950

↑ $281

2 Bed

From$873

To$1,160

↑ $287

3 Bed

From$1,144

To$1,490

↑ $346

La Crosse, WIZIP-level data

1BR range: $830–$900/mo

St. Louis, MOZIP-level data

1BR range: $800–$1,480/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,247

Monthly in La Crosse, WI

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$542

Difference

Home Values

La Crosse

St. Louis

$255K

Median Value

$145K

↑ +2.8%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +37.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$230K - $280K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 43% less expensive than La Crosse

Calculate payment - La Crosse Calculate payment - St. Louis

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $921

Per year

Monthly Difference

$76.74

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.6%

Rate difference

La Crosse, WI

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Wisconsin State Tax

Effective: 5.9%

$8.8K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.6%

$45.9K

Take-Home Pay

$8,678/month

$104.1K

St. Louis, MO

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Missouri State Tax

Effective: 5.3%

$7.9K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.0%

$44.9K

Take-Home Pay

$8,755/month

$105.1K

Additional Tax Information

La Crosse, WI Tax Rates

Sales Tax:5.6%

Property Tax:1.8%

St. Louis, MO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.0%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.