Living in Onalaska, Wisconsin
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Onalaska · Census data 2020–2024
Onalaska has 19,348 residents with a median age of 40.7. The median household income is $85,867 (11% higher than the Wisconsin median), the median home value is $288,900, the median rent is $1,130/month.
Onalaska at a glance
- Population
- 19,348
- Median age
- 40.7State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $85,867State: $77,485
- Median home value
- $288,900State: $266,500
- Median rent
- $1,130/moState: $1,087
- Homeowners
- 63.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 41.7%
- Average commute
- 17 min
Is Onalaska a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 11% higher than the Wisconsin median; an average commute of 17 minutes; a poverty rate of 6%.
Cons: Home values 8% higher than the state median; unemployment of 3.4%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Onalaska
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Onalaska the median home value is $288,900, 13% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,130 per month, which is 26% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,790 a month in housing costs.
Onalaska median household income
The median household income in Onalaska is $85,867 and the income per person is $52,580. 6% of residents live below the poverty line (Wisconsin: 10.6%).
Housing in Onalaska: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 9,120
- Owner-occupied
- 63.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 36.9%
- Vacant
- 1.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1991
- Average household size
- 2.13
Onalaska demographics
- Population
- 19,348
- Median age
- 40.7
- Under 18
- 19.4%
- 65 and older
- 20.4%
- Households
- 9,002
- Foreign-born
- 3.9%
- Veterans
- 7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Onalaska ›
Education in Onalaska
41.7% of adults 25 and older in Onalaska have a bachelor's degree or higher (Wisconsin: 33.4%), and 17.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Onalaska
- Unemployment rate
- 3.4%State: 3.2%
- Average commute
- 17 minState: 22 min
- Work from home
- 10.9%
- Drive alone
- 80.2%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.2%
Onalaska vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onalaska | 19,348 | $85,867 | $288,900 | $1,130 |
| French Island | 4,188 | $60,202 | $207,100 | $1,030 |
| La Crosse | 51,356 | $55,866 | $210,100 | $1,010 |
| West Salem | 5,330 | $97,019 | $277,100 | $1,283 |
| Brice Prairie | 1,782 | $94,408 | $297,300 | $1,578 |
| Holmen | 11,372 | $79,899 | $285,900 | $1,175 |
| La Crescent | 5,251 | $85,368 | $272,400 | $889 |
| Dresbach | 286 | $90,250 | $343,800 | $625 |
| Dakota | 304 | $95,357 | $236,200 | — |
More for people moving to Onalaska
Onalaska ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Onalaska: FAQ
What is the median household income in Onalaska, WI?
The median household income in Onalaska is $85,867, 11% higher than the Wisconsin median of $77,485 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Onalaska?
The median home value in Onalaska is $288,900, compared with $266,500 in Wisconsin.
How much is rent in Onalaska?
The median gross rent in Onalaska is $1,130 per month, about 26% of household income.
Is Onalaska, WI a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 11% higher than the Wisconsin median; an average commute of 17 minutes; a poverty rate of 6%. Minuses: home values 8% higher than the state median; unemployment of 3.4%.
What is the median age in Onalaska?
The median age in Onalaska is 40.7 years (Wisconsin: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Onalaska?
The average commute to work in Onalaska is 17 minutes; 10.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Onalaska?
The unemployment rate in Onalaska is 3.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Onalaska?
41.7% of adults in Onalaska have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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