Bathroom remodel cost in La Crosse, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (45 sq ft)
- $4,850 – $24,100
- Per sq ft
- $104 – $518
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +3%
- US $14,000
- Rank of 300 metros
- #94
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to remodel a bathroom in La Crosse, plan on $4,850 to $24,100 for 45 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $104 to $518 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 3% higher than the national one. Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn a median of $39.72 an hour in the La Crosse area, 30% above the US median of $30.67.
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Estimated cost for 45 sq ft in La Crosse, WI, standard level
$10,600 to $18,300
About $228 to $394 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 57% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $4,200 | $7,200 |
| Labor | $6,100 | $10,500 |
| Permits and fees | $350 | $570 |
| Total | $10,600 | $18,300 |
Cost breakdown for 45 sq ft in La Crosse, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,900 | $5,700 | $9,500 | 39% |
| Labor | $2,750 | $8,300 | $13,800 | 57% |
| Permits and fees | $180 | $460 | $730 | 3% |
| Total | $4,850 | $14,500 | $24,100 | 100% |
What is behind the La Crosse number
The wage side of the estimate leans on plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters, who do 25% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $39.72 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for La Crosse is 1.12 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 57% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the La Crosse metro is 93.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 45 sq ft comes to $5,700, compared with $6,100 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (91.8) and land at $180 to $730.
Data note: 25% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in La Crosse. The wage table below marks each row.
Planning more than one job in La Crosse?
Because every project leans on different trades, La Crosse's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, shower pan runs +9% and kitchen remodel −4%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shower pan | 1 pan | $1,100 – $3,000 | +9% |
| Kitchen remodel | 120 sq ft | $17,900 – $30,400 | −4% |
| Kitchen cabinets | 25 linear ft | $4,100 – $13,800 | −2% |
| Window replacement | 10 windows | $4,400 – $14,500 | −3% |
| Kitchen backsplash | 30 sq ft | $310 – $1,500 | +1% |
How La Crosse compares
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than La Crosse. Dubuque is the lowest at about $13,300 (midpoint, 45 sq ft), 85 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Crosse, WIthis page | $4,850 – $24,100 | $14,500 | |
| Rochester, MN65 miles | $5,100 – $25,400 | $15,200 | +5% |
| Dubuque, IA85 miles | $4,450 – $22,100 | $13,300 | −8% |
| Eau Claire, WI85 miles | $4,950 – $24,500 | $14,700 | +2% |
| Madison, WI85 miles | $5,000 – $24,900 | $15,000 | +3% |
| Waterloo, IA105 miles | $4,450 – $22,200 | $13,300 | −8% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $4,900 – $24,300 | $14,600 | +1% |
| United States | $4,700 – $23,300 | $14,000 | −3% |
Across 300 US metros, La Crosse comes in at #94 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $18,400; the cheapest is Jonesboro, AR at $11,600 (midpoints, 45 sq ft). Statewide, La Crosse is 1% below the Wisconsin figure.
Other Wisconsin metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $4,950 – $24,600 | $14,800 | +2% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $5,000 – $24,900 | $15,000 | +3% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $4,950 – $24,500 | $14,700 | +2% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $4,950 – $24,600 | $14,800 | +2% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $5,100 – $25,400 | $15,300 | +6% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $4,950 – $24,500 | $14,700 | +2% |
Cities with a workforce like La Crosse's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is La Crosse against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $4,150 – $20,600 | $12,400 | −14% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $4,450 – $22,200 | $13,300 | −8% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $4,950 – $24,500 | $14,700 | +2% |
| Houma, LA | 83,440 jobs | $4,150 – $20,600 | $12,400 | −14% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: bathroom remodel pricing in La Crosse
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for La Crosse wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$4,850 to $12,500
Cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring
Standard
$10,600 to $18,300
Full remodel with new tub or shower and tile
Premium
$16,400 to $24,100
Primary bath, custom tile, layout change
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| half bath (20 sq ft) | $2,250 – $5,800 | $4,900 – $8,450 | $7,550 – $11,100 |
| small full bath (40 sq ft) | $4,350 – $11,200 | $9,450 – $16,300 | $14,600 – $21,500 |
| average bath (60 sq ft) | $6,400 – $16,600 | $14,000 – $24,200 | $21,700 – $31,800 |
| primary bath (100 sq ft) | $10,600 – $27,400 | $23,200 – $40,000 | $35,800 – $52,600 |
La Crosse labor market for bathroom remodel
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 6 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for La Crosse is 1.12 times the national level.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 25%) the local median is $39.72 an hour, which is 30% above the national $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $29.32 and $47.12 an hour. BLS counts 280 of them working in the area, 33.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.0), so the local bench is about average.
Tile and stone setters (47-2044) carry 25% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the La Crosse metro, so we used the Wisconsin statewide median: $30.14 an hour against $26.77 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $27.44 and $36.42 an hour.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 20%) the local median is $28.34 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.93 and $36.95 an hour. BLS counts 450 of them working in the area, 53.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Electricians (47-2111), 10% of the weighting: a median of $37.87 an hour, 25% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $29.32 and $45.60 an hour. About 320 work in the metro. That is 37.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081), 10% of the weighting: a median of $26.36 an hour, 7% below the US median of $28.33. The middle half of them earn between $18.81 and $30.43 an hour. About 30 work in the metro. That is 3.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 5.3 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141, weighted 10%) the local median is $23.79 an hour, which is in line with the national $23.75. The middle half of them earn between $20.32 and $28.38 an hour. BLS counts 60 of them working in the area, 7.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 14.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($47.12 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $450. At the 25th percentile ($29.32) it shrinks by about $630. The total moves by 3.1% or 4.4%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 84,380 jobs in the La Crosse-Onalaska area. That makes it the 228th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.05% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 25% | $29.32 | $39.72 | $47.12 | $30.67 | 1.30 | metro |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 25% | $27.44 | $30.14 | $36.42 | $26.77 | 1.13 | state |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 20% | $23.93 | $28.34 | $36.95 | $29.12 | 0.97 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $29.32 | $37.87 | $45.60 | $30.38 | 1.25 | metro |
| Drywall and ceiling tile installers (47-2081) | 10% | $18.81 | $26.36 | $30.43 | $28.33 | 0.93 | metro |
| Painters, construction and maintenance (47-2141) | 10% | $20.32 | $23.79 | $28.38 | $23.75 | 1.00 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.12 | |||||
Bathroom remodel: what moves the price in La Crosse
Size
HomeGuide's average-size bathroom comes to $3,500-$25,000+; per square foot it's $100-$500.
Tile
New tile costs $10-$50 per square foot installed, and regrouting runs $7-$28 per square foot.
Moving plumbing
Keeping the toilet, tub and vanity in place keeps plumbing costs down. Moving them does not.
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Bathroom remodel in La Crosse: your questions
+How much does it cost to remodel a bathroom in La Crosse?
For 45 sq ft, expect $4,850 to $24,100 in the La Crosse area. A standard-spec job lands at $10,600 to $18,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for bathroom remodel in La Crosse?
About $104 to $518 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $180 to $730 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $100 to $500.
+Is bathroom remodel cheaper in La Crosse or Rochester?
Rochester is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 45 sq ft there is $15,200, which is 5% more than La Crosse ($14,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in La Crosse?
About 57% at the midpoint, or $8,300 out of $14,500. Materials are 39% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 53%.
+What would average bath (60 sq ft) cost in La Crosse?
$6,400 to $31,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does bathroom remodel need a permit in La Crosse?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $180 to $730 for fees in the La Crosse area (our national range of $200 to $800 scaled by the local price level).
+Is La Crosse expensive for bathroom remodel compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
La Crosse is 1% below the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($14,600 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earn in La Crosse?
The BLS median is $39.72 an hour in the La Crosse area, compared with $30.67 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $29.32 to $47.12.
+What do basic and premium bathroom remodel work cost in La Crosse?
For 45 sq ft, basic work runs $4,850 to $12,500 and premium work $16,400 to $24,100. Basic means: cosmetic refresh: vanity, fixtures, paint, flooring. Premium means: primary bath, custom tile, layout change.
Bathroom remodel near La Crosse
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Cost to Renovate: Renovation Labor Report 2026: Where the Money Goes (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
Note on derived figures: Materials = 45% of the installed price, from Cost to Renovate's mid-range split for bathroom projects (50% labor, 45% materials, 5% permits and design). Their sample is their own guides, not a survey of contractors, so treat the split as approximate.