Salary Needed to Live in La Crosse as a Family

A family of four (2 adults, 2 children) needs approximately $49,769/year to live comfortably in La Crosse, WI — including 15% savings.

Comfortable Salary
$49,769
with 15% savings
Bare Minimum
$39,681
no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$2,447
16% below national avg

Detailed Monthly Budget for a Family in La Crosse

ExpenseLa CrosseNat'l AvgDiff
🏠 3BR Apartment/House Rent$189$209-10%
🛒 Groceries$37$44-16%
⚡ Utilities$21$28-25%
🚗 Transportation$31$44-30%
🛡️ Car Insurance$155$211-27%
🏥 Health Insurance$57$53+8%
Childcare/After-school$1,008$1,200-16%
Internet + Phones$151$180-16%
Children Activities$210$250-16%
Dining Out$294$350-16%
School Supplies & Clothing$168$200-16%
Healthcare Co-pays$126$150-16%
Total Monthly$2,447$2,919-16%

How We Calculated the Salary

Monthly expenses:$2,447
Target savings (15%):$542/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$2,989
Effective tax rate:26%

Gross annual salary needed:$49,769

Other Household Types in La Crosse

Single Person
$16,838/yr
$898/mo expenses
Couple (No Kids)
$23,342/yr
$1,206/mo expenses
Retiree
$17,461/yr
$1,004/mo expenses

Related Pages

Living Alone in La CrosseCity OverviewAfford on $75K?Afford on $100K?Cost of Living

FAQ

What salary does a family with kids need in La Crosse?
A family with kids needs approximately $49,769/year ($4,147/month gross) to live comfortably in La Crosse with a 15% savings rate.
How much is rent for a family with kids in La Crosse?
A 3br apartment/house in La Crosse costs approximately $189/month, which is the largest single expense at 8% of the total budget.
Is La Crosse affordable for a family with kids?
Yes, La Crosse is 16% more affordable than the national average for a family with kids.
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