Gutters cost in La Crosse, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (160 linear ft)
- $1,350 – $4,300
- Per linear ft
- $8.50 – $25.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +3%
- US $2,750
- Rank of 300 metros
- #78
- 1 = most expensive
New gutters in La Crosse, WI usually costs $1,350 to $4,300 for 160 linear ft. That works out to about $8.50 to $25.50 per linear ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $85 more. Sheet metal workers earn a median of $36.15 an hour in the La Crosse area, 22% above the US median of $29.71.
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Estimated cost for 160 linear ft in La Crosse, WI, standard level
$2,250 to $3,400
About $13.50 to $20.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 44% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $1,850 |
| Labor | $1,050 | $1,400 |
| Permits and fees | $55 | $130 |
| Total | $2,250 | $3,400 |
Cost breakdown for 160 linear ft in La Crosse, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $600 | $1,500 | $2,400 | 53% |
| Labor | $760 | $1,250 | $1,700 | 44% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $90 | $180 | 3% |
| Total | $1,350 | $2,800 | $4,300 | 100% |
Where the La Crosse price comes from
Labor is 44% of the midpoint bill here, against 38% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is sheet metal workers (40%), roofers (30%), construction laborers (30%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In La Crosse the blended ratio comes out at 1.18.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. La Crosse is at 93.8 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $1,600 nationally becomes $1,500 here (midpoint, 160 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 91.8: $0 to $180.
Data note: 30% 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.
La Crosse: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to La Crosse. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from small house (120 linear ft) to large house (240 linear ft).
Basic
$1,350 to $2,550
Vinyl or sectional aluminum, single story
Standard
$2,250 to $3,400
Seamless aluminum K-style, standard downspouts
Premium
$3,100 to $4,300
Steel or copper, two stories, custom length
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small house (120 linear ft) | $1,000 – $1,900 | $1,700 – $2,600 | $2,350 – $3,250 |
| average house (160 linear ft) | $1,350 – $2,550 | $2,250 – $3,400 | $3,100 – $4,300 |
| large house (240 linear ft) | $2,050 – $3,750 | $3,350 – $5,050 | $4,600 – $6,350 |
La Crosse weather and the gutters calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, La Crosse Wfo (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For exterior installation, the comfortable months in La Crosse are April through October: 7 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, November and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February, March, November and December the average high stays below 45°F. Sealants, adhesives and some materials, such as vinyl, are harder to install well in the cold, and short daylight cuts the working day.
La Crosse gets about 37 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 54 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and August (5.3 inches in June). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 4.0 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 3 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 24 | 8 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Feb | 29 | 13 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 41 | 24 | 1.9 | Cold |
| Apr | 55 | 36 | 4.0 | Workable |
| May | 67 | 48 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 76 | 58 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 80 | 62 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 78 | 60 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Sep | 71 | 52 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 58 | 40 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 42 | 28 | 1.9 | Cold |
| Dec | 29 | 15 | 1.5 | Cold |
Planning more than one job in La Crosse?
Jobs that often go together with gutters are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same La Crosse wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, French drain comes out highest (+15%) and attic insulation lowest (−2%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,400 – $12,800 | +4% |
| Metal roof | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $11,000 – $33,400 | +4% |
| Vinyl siding | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,500 – $25,400 | +1% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $690 – $2,400 | +15% |
| Attic insulation | 1,000 sq ft | $1,000 – $3,900 | −2% |
What local crews earn in La Crosse
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 3 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For La Crosse the blend is 1.18.
Sheet metal workers (47-2211), 40% of the weighting: a median of $36.15 an hour, 22% above the US median of $29.71. The middle half of them earn between $23.33 and $45.29 an hour. About 60 work in the metro. That is 7.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 7.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Roofers (47-2181) carry 30% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the La Crosse metro, so we used the Wisconsin statewide median: $28.54 an hour against $26.65 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $23.01 and $31.41 an hour.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 30%) the local median is $28.32 an hour, which is 25% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.49 and $35.41 an hour. BLS counts 610 of them working in the area, 72.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (sheet metal workers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $130 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $180. That is a swing of roughly 6.4% to 4.5% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
La Crosse-Onalaska has 84,380 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 228th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheet metal workers (47-2211) | 40% | $23.33 | $36.15 | $45.29 | $29.71 | 1.22 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 30% | $23.01 | $28.54 | $31.41 | $26.65 | 1.07 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 30% | $22.49 | $28.32 | $35.41 | $22.66 | 1.25 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.18 | |||||
Is La Crosse cheap or dear? The local comparison
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 160 linear ft range from $2,600 to $2,850 across La Crosse and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Crosse, WIthis page | $1,350 – $4,300 | $2,800 | |
| Rochester, MN65 miles | $1,350 – $4,350 | $2,850 | +1% |
| Dubuque, IA85 miles | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,650 | −7% |
| Eau Claire, WI85 miles | $1,350 – $4,250 | $2,800 | −2% |
| Madison, WI85 miles | $1,350 – $4,300 | $2,800 | level |
| Waterloo, IA105 miles | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,600 | −7% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $1,350 – $4,300 | $2,850 | level |
| United States | $1,300 – $4,200 | $2,750 | −3% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, La Crosse ranks #78 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, La Crosse is 0% below the Wisconsin figure.
Elsewhere in Wisconsin
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $1,350 – $4,300 | $2,850 | +1% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $1,350 – $4,300 | $2,800 | level |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $1,350 – $4,250 | $2,800 | −1% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $1,400 – $4,350 | $2,900 | +2% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $1,250 – $4,100 | $2,700 | −5% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $1,350 – $4,250 | $2,800 | −2% |
Metros of a similar size
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 | $1,200 – $4,000 | $2,600 | −8% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $1,250 – $4,000 | $2,600 | −7% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $1,350 – $4,250 | $2,800 | −2% |
| Houma, LA | 83,440 jobs | $1,150 – $3,800 | $2,450 | −13% |
Why two La Crosse quotes can differ
Seamless
Seamless costs $3-$5+ more per linear foot than sectional, but has fewer places to leak.
Stories
Two-story homes add $1-$3 per linear foot for ladders and fall protection.
Permit
Local building codes may add $50-$200, though most cities don't require one.
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $2,250 to $3,400 for La Crosse, WI is attached.
Detailed gutters report for La Crosse, WI, $9
Multi-page report for La Crosse, WI: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Gutters in La Crosse: your questions
+How much does it cost to install gutters in La Crosse?
For 160 linear ft, expect $1,350 to $4,300 in the La Crosse area. A standard-spec job lands at $2,250 to $3,400. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for gutters in La Crosse?
About $8.50 to $25.50 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $180 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $8 to $25.
+Is gutters cheaper in La Crosse or Rochester?
Rochester is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 160 linear ft there is $2,850, which is 1% more than La Crosse ($2,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in La Crosse?
About 44% at the midpoint, or $1,250 out of $2,800. Materials are 53% and permits 3%. Nationally, labor is 38%.
+What would average house (160 linear ft) cost in La Crosse?
$1,350 to $4,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does gutters need a permit in La Crosse?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $180 for fees in the La Crosse area (our national range of $0 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is La Crosse expensive for gutters compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
La Crosse is 0% below the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($2,850 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do sheet metal workers earn in La Crosse?
The BLS median is $36.15 an hour in the La Crosse area, compared with $29.71 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.33 to $45.29.
+What do basic and premium gutters work cost in La Crosse?
For 160 linear ft, basic work runs $1,350 to $2,550 and premium work $3,100 to $4,300. Basic means: vinyl or sectional aluminum, single story. Premium means: steel or copper, two stories, custom length.
+When is the best time to install gutters in La Crosse?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. September and October are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
Gutters 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 Gutter Installation Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Home Genius Exteriors: How Much Does Gutter Installation Cost? (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = installed range minus the $4-$9 per linear foot labor figure from Home Genius Exteriors.