Home project costs in La Crosse, WI
Every project we cover, priced for the La Crosse-Onalaska metro with local BLS wages and BEA price levels.
The BEA price index for the La Crosse-Onalaska area is 91.8 against 100 for the US, which puts La Crosse 215th among 300 metros we track. Goods prices, which matter most for materials, are at 93.8. BLS counts roughly 84,380 jobs here.
In La Crosse, 22 of the 38 projects price above the national midpoint and 14 below, and 2 are level with it. The biggest premiums are French drain (+15%), sprinkler system (+10%) and paver patio (+10%); the biggest discounts are laminate flooring (−5%), hardwood flooring (−5%) and front door (−5%). The spread comes from which trades each job uses: a labor-heavy job follows local wages, while a materials-heavy job follows the goods index.
Weather: the nearest NOAA station (La Crosse Wfo, 2 miles away) shows a January average low of 8°F, a July average high of 80°F and 37 inches of precipitation a year (1991-2020 normals). For concrete pours, the workable months are May through September; for exterior installation, they are April through October.
What local trades earn in La Crosse
| Trade | Projects using it | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 25 | $22.49 | $28.32 | $35.41 | $22.66 | 1.25 |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 23 | $23.93 | $28.34 | $36.95 | $29.12 | 0.97 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10 | $28.40 | $34.34 | $44.77 | $28.78 | 1.19 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 7 | $29.32 | $39.72 | $47.12 | $30.67 | 1.30 |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 6 | $25.00 | $29.26 | $33.93 | $27.41 | 1.07 |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 6 | $29.32 | $37.87 | $45.60 | $30.38 | 1.25 |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $26.77 | n/a |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $26.65 | n/a |
Concrete & paving in La Crosse
The 7 jobs here average +6% versus the US in La Crosse, from +2% (concrete slab) to +10% (paver patio).
| Project | Size | La Crosse range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab cost in La Crosse | 400 sq ft | $2,500 – $5,250 | +2% |
| Concrete driveway cost in La Crosse | 600 sq ft | $3,850 – $9,850 | +7% |
| Asphalt driveway cost in La Crosse | 600 sq ft | $3,200 – $7,950 | +6% |
| Gravel driveway cost in La Crosse | 1,000 sq ft | $2,700 – $11,000 | +8% |
| Paver patio cost in La Crosse | 300 sq ft | $3,300 – $6,000 | +10% |
| Concrete patio cost in La Crosse | 300 sq ft | $1,250 – $4,150 | +3% |
| Stamped concrete cost in La Crosse | 400 sq ft | $3,300 – $8,250 | +3% |
Decks & outdoor in La Crosse
The 2 jobs here average −2% versus the US in La Crosse, from −2% (wood deck) to −1% (composite deck).
| Project | Size | La Crosse range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck cost in La Crosse | 300 sq ft | $7,400 – $14,800 | −2% |
| Composite deck cost in La Crosse | 300 sq ft | $12,000 – $24,000 | −1% |
Building & additions in La Crosse
Across these 2 projects, La Crosse averages +1% against national midpoints. Home addition is highest at +1% and detached garage lowest at +1%.
| Project | Size | La Crosse range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached garage cost in La Crosse | 576 sq ft | $29,200 – $58,600 | +1% |
| Home addition cost in La Crosse | 300 sq ft | $38,400 – $77,800 | +1% |
Doors & windows in La Crosse
The 5 jobs here average −3% versus the US in La Crosse, from −5% (front door) to −2% (patio door).
| Project | Size | La Crosse range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage door cost in La Crosse | 1 door | $690 – $3,600 | −3% |
| Storm door cost in La Crosse | 1 door | $340 – $910 | −4% |
| Front door cost in La Crosse | 1 door | $480 – $2,350 | −5% |
| Window replacement cost in La Crosse | 10 windows | $4,400 – $14,500 | −3% |
| Patio door cost in La Crosse | 1 door | $580 – $5,850 | −2% |
Fencing in La Crosse
The 4 jobs here average +1% versus the US in La Crosse, from −2% (vinyl fence) to +6% (chain-link fence).
| Project | Size | La Crosse range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence cost in La Crosse | 150 linear ft | $3,050 – $7,600 | level |
| Vinyl fence cost in La Crosse | 150 linear ft | $4,400 – $8,950 | −2% |
| Chain-link fence cost in La Crosse | 150 linear ft | $1,550 – $6,600 | +6% |
| Aluminum fence cost in La Crosse | 150 linear ft | $3,850 – $11,400 | level |
Roofing & exterior in La Crosse
The 5 jobs here average +2% versus the US in La Crosse, from −2% (attic insulation) to +4% (metal roof).
| Project | Size | La Crosse range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement cost in La Crosse | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,400 – $12,800 | +4% |
| Metal roof cost in La Crosse | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $11,000 – $33,400 | +4% |
| Gutters cost in La Crosse | 160 linear ft | $1,350 – $4,300 | +3% |
| Vinyl siding cost in La Crosse | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $8,500 – $25,400 | +1% |
| Attic insulation cost in La Crosse | 1,000 sq ft | $1,000 – $3,900 | −2% |
Kitchen & bath in La Crosse
Across these 5 projects, La Crosse averages +2% against national midpoints. Shower pan is highest at +9% and kitchen remodel lowest at −4%.
| Project | Size | La Crosse range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets cost in La Crosse | 25 linear ft | $4,100 – $13,800 | −2% |
| Shower pan cost in La Crosse | 1 pan | $1,100 – $3,000 | +9% |
| Kitchen remodel cost in La Crosse | 120 sq ft | $17,900 – $30,400 | −4% |
| Bathroom remodel cost in La Crosse | 45 sq ft | $4,850 – $24,100 | +3% |
| Kitchen backsplash cost in La Crosse | 30 sq ft | $310 – $1,500 | +1% |
Landscaping & drainage in La Crosse
Across these 5 projects, La Crosse averages +8% against national midpoints. French drain is highest at +15% and sod installation lowest at −2%.
| Project | Size | La Crosse range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain cost in La Crosse | 60 linear ft | $690 – $2,400 | +15% |
| Retaining wall cost in La Crosse | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,950 – $14,300 | +8% |
| Sod installation cost in La Crosse | 1,500 sq ft | $1,450 – $3,200 | −2% |
| Sprinkler system cost in La Crosse | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,400 – $11,000 | +10% |
| Inground pool cost in La Crosse | 450 sq ft | $39,700 – $124,000 | +10% |
Flooring & interior in La Crosse
The 3 jobs here average −3% versus the US in La Crosse, from −5% (laminate flooring) to +2% (tile flooring).
| Project | Size | La Crosse range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring cost in La Crosse | 500 sq ft | $5,200 – $11,800 | −5% |
| Laminate flooring cost in La Crosse | 500 sq ft | $1,900 – $6,600 | −5% |
| Tile flooring cost in La Crosse | 200 sq ft | $2,650 – $10,000 | +2% |
La Crosse against its nearest metros
Averaged over all 38 projects, La Crosse prices +2% against the US midpoint. Of the 6 closest metros, 2 price higher and 3 lower. Dubuque is the lowest at −3% (85 miles) and Rochester the highest at +6% (65 miles). These are unweighted averages of the midpoints, a rough guide to overall price level rather than a number for any one job.
| Metro | Distance | Price index | Goods index | All projects vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Crosse, WIthis page | 91.8 | 93.8 | +2% | |
| Rochester, MN | 65 miles | 90.8 | 95.4 | +6% |
| Dubuque, IA | 85 miles | 87.3 | 93.7 | −3% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 85 miles | 92.8 | 93.8 | +2% |
| Madison, WI | 85 miles | 97.3 | 93.8 | +5% |
| Waterloo, IA | 105 miles | 87.1 | 93.7 | −2% |
| Wausau, WI | 105 miles | 92.7 | 93.8 | level |