La Crosse, WI Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in La Crosse, WI: What You Need to Know

Not many places are named after a sport. La Crosse, a city along the Mississippi River in western Wisconsin, is one such place. 

Local History

French explorers called the area Prairie La Crosse because it was where they saw Native Americans playing stickball, which the French called lacrosse. A settlement near a trading post in the area became La Crosse in 1841. It grew as a river port and became a key transportation and sawmill hub. The rail reached La Crosse in 1858. 

Schools and Higher Education

La Crosse (population: 51,227) is a bona fide college town with two universities and a technical college. The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (10,597 students) offers 102 undergraduate and 31 graduate programs. Viterbo University (2,598 students) was founded as St. Rose Normal School in 1890. Western Technical College (4,004 students) provides the skills to support students in getting job training or acquiring a degree or advancing to a four-year university. La Crosse has 21 public schools with 6,632 students. Emerson Elementary School and 7 Rivers Community High School are among the top-ranked schools.

Cost of Living

When it comes to household expenses, there’s good news and bad news if you’re moving to La Crosse. The good news is, the city’s cost of living rate, food, and housing costs are 4.1%, 18.7% and 29.6% lower than the national average, respectively. The median gross rent is $782. The bad news? Wisconsin’s income tax rate of 3.86% to 7.65% is one of the highest in the country. The state collects and 5% to 5.6% in sales tax.

Know Your Neighborhoods

The universities bring about diversity in the city. Locals rave about the gorgeous river views downtown and the scenic landscape of bluffs, parks, and hiking and biking trails surrounding them. Also, La Crosse has highly rated public schools. Suburbanites will love Onalaska and Holmen, both a short drive from La Crosse. They’re known for their excellent schools, safety, and cleanliness. 

Getting Around in La Crosse

The Municipal Transit Utility (MTU) is a popular mode of public transportation in the La Crosse area, including French Island, a portion of Onalaska, and La Crescent, Minnesota. There are eight fixed bus routes and two flex routes, with most routes operating seven days a week. The U-PASS program for UW students and employees offers daily unlimited rides. The cost is included in student fees. The La Crosse Regional Airport services the city. American Airlines and Delta Air Lines provide daily nonstop destination hubs from which passengers can connect to nearly any airport in the world.