Inground pool cost in La Crosse, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $39,700 – $124,000
- Per sq ft
- $88 – $274
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +10%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #68
- 1 = most expensive
La Crosse homeowners pay roughly $39,700 to $124,000 to install an inground pool at 450 sq ft, or $88 to $274 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, La Crosse is 10% higher. Construction laborers earn a median of $28.32 an hour in the La Crosse area, 25% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in La Crosse, WI, standard level
$64,900 to $98,500
About $144 to $218 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 59% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $26,400 | $40,300 |
| Labor | $38,300 | $58,100 |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $220 |
| Total | $64,900 | $98,500 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in La Crosse, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,000 | $33,300 | $50,700 | 41% |
| Labor | $23,500 | $48,200 | $72,800 | 59% |
| Permits and fees | $90 | $180 | $280 | 0% |
| Total | $39,700 | $81,700 | $124,000 | 100% |
Where the La Crosse price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 4 trades: construction laborers at 40%, operating engineers and other construction equipment operators at 30%, brickmasons and blockmasons at 20%, plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters at 10%. Weighted together, La Crosse wages are 1.25 times the national level. Labor makes up about 59% of the midpoint estimate (52% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the La Crosse metro is 93.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 450 sq ft comes to $33,300, compared with $35,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (91.8) and land at $90 to $280.
Data note: 20% 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.
Inground pool: what moves the price in La Crosse
Pool type
Vinyl pools are $25,000-$65,000, fiberglass $45,000-$100,000, and concrete or gunite $50,000-$120,000 (HomeGuide).
Maintenance
Pool maintenance is $80-$150 a month; concrete pools also need an acid wash every 3-5 years at $300-$1,000.
Permit
A building permit for a pool is $100-$300 and contractors often include it. Many cities add plumbing and electrical permits.
La Crosse against nearby metros and the rest of Wisconsin
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 450 sq ft range from $74,000 to $85,800 across La Crosse and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Crosse, WIthis page | $39,700 – $124,000 | $81,700 | |
| Rochester, MN65 miles | $41,700 – $130,000 | $85,800 | +5% |
| Dubuque, IA85 miles | $35,900 – $112,000 | $74,000 | −9% |
| Eau Claire, WI85 miles | $40,400 – $126,000 | $83,200 | +2% |
| Madison, WI85 miles | $40,700 – $127,000 | $83,800 | +3% |
| Waterloo, IA105 miles | $39,500 – $123,000 | $81,300 | −1% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $39,600 – $123,500 | $81,600 | level |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | −9% |
Across 300 US metros, La Crosse comes in at #68 from the top. The priciest is Kahului, HI at $105,000; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $62,300 (midpoints, 450 sq ft). Statewide, La Crosse is 0% above the Wisconsin figure.
Other Wisconsin metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $41,200 – $128,500 | $84,900 | +4% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $40,700 – $127,000 | $83,800 | +3% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $39,100 – $122,000 | $80,600 | −1% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $41,100 – $128,000 | $84,600 | +4% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $39,100 – $122,000 | $80,500 | −1% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $40,400 – $126,000 | $83,200 | +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 | $33,600 – $105,000 | $69,300 | −15% |
| Waterloo, IA | 84,260 jobs | $39,500 – $123,000 | $81,300 | −1% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $40,400 – $126,000 | $83,200 | +2% |
| Houma, LA | 83,440 jobs | $31,800 – $99,400 | $65,600 | −20% |
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 4 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for La Crosse is 1.25 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 40% of the weighting: a median of $28.32 an hour, 25% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.49 and $35.41 an hour. About 610 work in the metro. That is 72.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $34.34 an hour, which is 19% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $28.40 and $44.77 an hour. BLS counts 120 of them working in the area, 14.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) carry 20% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the La Crosse metro, so we used the Wisconsin statewide median: $38.52 an hour against $29.87 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $29.59 and $46.62 an hour.
For plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152, weighted 10%) 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.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($35.41 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $4,850. At the 25th percentile ($22.49) it shrinks by about $4,000. The total moves by 5.9% or 4.9%, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $22.49 | $28.32 | $35.41 | $22.66 | 1.25 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $28.40 | $34.34 | $44.77 | $28.78 | 1.19 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $29.59 | $38.52 | $46.62 | $29.87 | 1.29 | state |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $29.32 | $39.72 | $47.12 | $30.67 | 1.30 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.25 | |||||
When to schedule inground pool in La Crosse
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for La Crosse Wfo (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
May through September is the stretch where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in La Crosse (5 of 12 months). January, February, March, April, October, November and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below.
The 40°F line is a deliberately cautious stand-in. The American Concrete Institute's cold-weather guide (ACI 306R-16) defines cold-weather concreting around an average daily air temperature below 40°F, which is colder than our test of an average overnight low at or below 40°F, so we flag a few extra shoulder months. In cold weather crews may need heated enclosures, insulating blankets or accelerated mixes, and those measures can raise a quote.
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, July and September are the driest, at 4.3 and 4.0 inches. The station averages about 3 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| 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 | Cold |
| 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 | Cold |
| Nov | 42 | 28 | 1.9 | Cold |
| Dec | 29 | 15 | 1.5 | Cold |
Pick a size, pick a tier: inground pool 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 3 common sizes.
Basic
$39,700 to $73,300
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$64,900 to $98,500
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$90,100 to $124,000
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $35,300 – $65,200 | $57,700 – $87,600 | $80,100 – $110,000 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $45,100 – $83,400 | $73,800 – $112,000 | $102,500 – $141,000 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $70,400 – $130,000 | $115,500 – $175,000 | $160,000 – $220,000 |
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, French drain runs +15% and wood deck −2%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,850 – $11,400 | level |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,300 – $6,000 | +10% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,150 | +3% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,400 – $14,800 | −2% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $690 – $2,400 | +15% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,950 – $14,300 | +8% |
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 $64,900 to $98,500 for La Crosse, WI is attached.
Detailed inground pool report for La Crosse, WI, $9
The report lays out the inground pool numbers for La Crosse, WI line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Inground pool in La Crosse: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in La Crosse?
For 450 sq ft, expect $39,700 to $124,000 in the La Crosse area. A standard-spec job lands at $64,900 to $98,500. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in La Crosse?
About $88 to $274 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $90 to $280 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $80 to $250.
+Is inground pool cheaper in La Crosse or Rochester?
Rochester is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $85,800, which is 5% more than La Crosse ($81,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in La Crosse?
About 59% at the midpoint, or $48,200 out of $81,700. Materials are 41% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in La Crosse?
$45,100 to $141,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in La Crosse?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $90 to $280 for fees in the La Crosse area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is La Crosse expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
La Crosse is 0% above the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($81,600 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in La Crosse?
The BLS median is $28.32 an hour in the La Crosse area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.49 to $35.41.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in La Crosse?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $39,700 to $73,300 and premium work $90,100 to $124,000. Basic means: vinyl-liner pool, small size. Premium means: concrete or gunite, large with custom features.
+When is the best time to install an inground pool in La Crosse?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May through September. July and September are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
Inground pool 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 An Inground Pool Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Cost to Renovate: Renovation Labor Report 2026: Where the Money Goes (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 = 48% of the installed price, from Cost to Renovate's mid-range 'Outdoor Living' category split. It is a category average, not a pool-specific one, so read the pool materials line loosely.