Signals
La Crosse-Onalaska
Wooster
Growth
49 · Top 50%
vs40 · Bottom 33%
Climate
56 · Bottom 15%
vs62 · Bottom 33%
Physical resilience
82 · Top 12%
vs86 · Top 8%
Housing affordability
96 · Top 46%
vs100 · Top 29%
Access
95 · Top 14%
vs91 · Top 22%
Economic stability
78 · Top 17%
vs78 · Top 16%
Measured values
| Metric | La Crosse-Onalaska | Wooster | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,190 | 116,588 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $73,340 | $73,574 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $41,247 | $35,229 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 95/sq mi | 210/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $247,400 | $222,100 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,027 | $881 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 67.7% | 76.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.6% | 25.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 11.9% | 9.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 465 | 230 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 2.7 | 2.0 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -4.3% | 1.8% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 85°F | 82°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 11°F | 18°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 35.2" | 36.9" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 14 mi | 24 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 21.5 min | 22.0 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 39.3 | 38.9 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
La Crosse-Onalaska
Elevated or high exposure: hail.
Wooster
Elevated or high exposure: tornado.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
La Crosse-Onalaska
77
Your Score
76
Area Score
Wooster
76
Your Score
—
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN Metro Area · Wooster, OH Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology