The story of this market
The typical home in La Crosse, Wisconsin sells for about $257,346, or $176 per square foot.
Prices are roughly flat from a year ago (-1%), a market in balance. Homes take about 7 days to sell, which is fast. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $856 a month.
Monthly price momentum
Home values since 2015
+5.2%
WI · past 12 months
Freddie Mac House Price Index, single-family homes, monthly through 2026-08. Each line starts at 100 in January 2015, so a reading of 180 means prices are up 80% since then.
La Crosse, Wisconsin
The La Crosse housing market remains competitive with low inventory and rapid turnover, though price growth has moderated compared to previous years. Demand is underpinned by a stable local economy and the presence of major institutional employers, keeping the market resilient despite broader economic headwinds.
No ARED county foreclosure postings attributed to La Crosse yet — the verified ledger covers every county the foreclosure ingest has read, attributed by published city area. Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.
Deterministic aggregate of 3 researched ZIP reports — sales_count-weighted (population fallback); per point, children lacking the value or its weight are excluded. Tax rates, sentiment and context notes are tier-native and never roll.
Median prices moved up 0.2% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 18 days on market with 1.3 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
8% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 66.45% of asking — demand is holding steady.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 2.4% · poverty 21.4% — a stable, low-distress profile.
The amenity base that shapes daily life and property demand in this city — what residents actually live with, and what the pipeline is adding.
A major riverfront park hosting community events and providing scenic access to the Mississippi River, serving as a central hub for residents.
Offers extensive hiking and mountain biking trails with significant elevation changes, providing a major recreational draw for outdoor enthusiasts.
The city's primary natural asset, supporting boating, fishing, and tourism, which significantly bolsters local property values and lifestyle appeal.
La Crosse is well-suited for families seeking a stable, mid-sized community with strong outdoor amenities, as well as investors targeting the consistent student-driven rental market. Its affordability relative to larger metros also makes it an attractive option for remote workers and downsizers looking for a high quality of life.
The School District of La Crosse is the primary provider, generally regarded as offering stable educational outcomes with a focus on diverse programming. Several schools maintain strong community partnerships, though performance metrics vary across the district's aging infrastructure.
The city is served by a network of state highways and is a regional transit hub, though most residents rely on personal vehicles for commuting. Public transit is provided by the La Crosse Municipal Transit Utility.
La Crosse offers an extensive amenity base centered on the Mississippi River, including the expansive Riverside Park and the rugged Hixon Forest for hiking and mountain biking. The city's historic downtown provides a dense concentration of dining, shopping, and cultural venues that serve as a regional draw.
The rental market is heavily influenced by the large student population, resulting in consistent demand for multi-family units and high occupancy rates near the university. Rent growth has been moderate, with investors focusing on value-add opportunities in older housing stock.
The economy is anchored by the healthcare sector, led by Gundersen Health System, and the education sector, with the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse serving as a major employer. The city maintains a stable industry mix with a focus on regional services and manufacturing.
Economic momentum is anchored by the healthcare and education sectors, with major employers like Gundersen Health System and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse driving stability. Infrastructure investment is currently focused on riverfront revitalization and downtown mixed-use development projects.
Development is currently focused on infill projects and the modernization of the downtown core to support increased density and tourism.
Parcels are subject to school district, county, and municipal taxes, with no significant MUD or PID presence reported.
La Crosse experiences crime rates generally consistent with other mid-sized Midwestern river cities, with property crime being the primary concern. Local law enforcement maintains active community policing initiatives to address localized hotspots near the downtown and university districts.
The city faces periodic flood risks due to its position along the Mississippi River, necessitating participation in federal flood insurance programs for properties in low-lying areas. Wind events are the primary severe weather concern, while wildfire risk remains negligible.
Property insurance premiums are stable, though flood insurance is a critical consideration for properties located within the Mississippi River floodplain.
Property taxes in La Crosse are levied by the city, county, and school district, with the city's portion determined by an annual mill rate applied to the assessed value of real estate. Wisconsin utilizes a state-wide property tax credit system that provides some relief to primary residence owners.
Researched annual trajectory for this city, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.8%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this city's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 4.5%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau QuickFacts and ACS profiles.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.