City · 5,330 residents · La Crosse County, Wisconsin
West Salem, Wisconsin
In West Salem, a typical home is worth $277,100 and typical rent is $1,283 a month. Compared with all of La Crosse County, typical household income is 33% higher, typical rent is 21% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 16 points higher.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $296,006 to $374,132.
From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
West Salem is in La Crosse County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of La Crosse County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Nearby, in Tomah, the typical home value is $174,300: 37% less than in West Salem ($277,100).
2
Nearby, in Sparta, the typical rent is $861: 33% less than in West Salem ($1,283).
3
The typical household income in West Salem is $97,019,33% more than in La Crosse County as a whole ($73,013).
4
78% of households in West Salem own their home, against 62% in La Crosse County.
5
The typical rent in West Salem is $1,283 a month, 21% more than in La Crosse County as a whole ($1,059).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in West Salem
What homes there are in West Salem, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
West Salem
La Crosse County
Wisconsin
United States
Kind of home: West Salem and its comparisons
Measure
West Salem
La Crosse County
Wisconsin
United States
Detached house
61%
59%
66%
61%
Attached house
10%
7%
4%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
Unreliable estimate
10%
9%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
20%
17%
19%
Mobile home
9%
4%
3%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
In West Salem, 6 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses, about the same as in La Crosse County.
There are more mobile homes here than in La Crosse County: 9% of homes, against 4%.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
West Salem
La Crosse County
Wisconsin
United States
Year built: West Salem and its comparisons
Measure
West Salem
La Crosse County
Wisconsin
United States
Before 1960
22%
31%
33%
26%
1960–1979
23%
22%
24%
24%
1980–1999
29%
24%
22%
25%
2000–2009
16%
12%
13%
14%
2010 or later
9%
11%
9%
11%
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100KUnreliable
$100K–$200KUnreliable
$200K–$300K40%
$300K–$500K36%
$500K–$750KUnreliable
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: West Salem and its comparisons
Measure
West Salem
Under $100K
Unreliable estimate
$100K–$200K
Unreliable estimate
$200K–$300K
40%
$300K–$500K
36%
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable estimate
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$999Unreliable
$1,000–$1,49939%
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: West Salem and its comparisons
Measure
West Salem
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
Unreliable estimate
$1,000–$1,499
39%
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
With a mortgage
$1,770 a month
La Crosse County: $1,698 a month
Without a mortgage
$568 a month
La Crosse County: $656 a month
Owners with a mortgage
55%
La Crosse County: 59%
The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in West Salem is $1,770 a month, near the figure in La Crosse County ($1,698).
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
West Salem+51%
La Crosse County+48%
Wisconsin+48%
United States+53%
Typical rent
West Salem+48%
La Crosse County+27%
Wisconsin+27%
United States+33%
Typical household income
West Salem+69%
La Crosse County+26%
Wisconsin+26%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: West Salem and its comparisons
Measure
West Salem
La Crosse County
Wisconsin
United States
Typical home value
+51%
+48%
+48%
+53%
Typical rent
+48%
+27%
+27%
+33%
Typical household income
+69%
+26%
+26%
+29%
From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, home values in West Salem rose at about the same pace as in La Crosse County: 51% against 48%.
Rents in West Salem rose faster than in La Crosse County: 48% since 2015–2019, against 27%.
Income in West Salem grew faster than housing: it rose 69%, while home values changed +51% and rent +48%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: West Salem and its comparisons
Measure
West Salem
La Crosse County
Wisconsin
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
2.9%
4.5%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0.5%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
1.0%
1.7%
3.4%
People per household
2.61
2.25
2.33
2.53
Drive alone
81%
76%
74%
69%
Carpool
Unreliable estimate
7%
7%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
4%
3%
3%
Work from home
Unreliable estimate
12%
13%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
10 to 19 minutes
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
On average, a household in West Salem has 2.61 people, more than in La Crosse County (2.25).
To get to work, 81% of workers in West Salem drive alone; in La Crosse County, 76%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in West Salem?
A typical home is tight for the typical income
We start with a typical home in West Salem, worth $277,100, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 29% of the typical household income in West Salem, which is $97,019 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $101,960 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of La Crosse County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in West Salem. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $9,699 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$2,379
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$272,081
Total interest
$391,460
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $4,680 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $2,264 a month
Tight
$2,264 to $2,911 a month
Your payment · 29%
Hard
more than $2,911 a month
Compared with the typical household income in West Salem ($97,019 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,843
Property tax
$298
Home insurance
$116
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$123
You need at least $9,699 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $2,379; principal and interest $1,843.
The city and its county
West Salem and La Crosse County
West Salem is in La Crosse County, Wisconsin. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
West Salem
Map of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, with West Salem marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
West Salem
La Crosse County
Other cities with a page
West Salem's own numbers
Typical home value
$277,100
Typical monthly rent
$1,283
Typical yearly household income
$97,019
Households that own their home
78%
Effective property tax rate
1.29%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of La Crosse County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,343
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+50%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
2.8%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of La Crosse County.
A typical home in West Salem is worth $277,100: 8% above the county and 4% above Wisconsin. With the typical household income in West Salem ($97,019 a year), a typical home costs 2.9 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
West Salem2.9 years
La Crosse3.5 years
Wisconsin3.4 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in La Crosse County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in La Crosse County rose 87% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of La Crosse County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in La Crosse County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +4.7% +4.7% 2016
2017: +5.3% +5.3% 2017
2018: +5.3% +5.3% 2018
2019: +4.4% +4.4% 2019
2020: +2.5% +2.5% 2020
2021: +9.1% +9.1% 2021
2022: +14.3% +14.3% 2022
2023: +9.5% +9.5% 2023
2024: +5.1% +5.1% 2024
2025: +4.6% +4.6% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in La Crosse County, Wisconsin and the United States
Period
County
Wisconsin
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+4.6%
+5.4%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+50%
+57%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+87%
+96%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
West Salem next to La Crosse County, Wisconsin and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
West Salem$277,100
La Crosse$257,000
Wisconsin$266,500
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
West Salem$1,283
La Crosse$1,059
Wisconsin$1,087
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
West Salem$97,019
La Crosse$73,013
Wisconsin$77,485
United States$80,734
See the full table
West Salem next to La Crosse County and Wisconsin
Measure
West Salem
La Crosse County
Wisconsin
U.S.
Typical home value
$277,100 ▲8% above the county
$257,000
$266,500
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,283 ▲21% above the county
$1,059
$1,087
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$97,019 ▲33% above the county
$73,013
$77,485
$80,734
Households that own their home
78% ▲16 points above the county
62%
68%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$3,568 ▼10% below the county
$3,947
$3,792
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.29% ▼0.25 points below the county
1.54%
1.42%
0.94%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below La Crosse County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in West Salem
For a typical $277,100 home in West Salem, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, West Salem's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$2,379a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$9,699
Cash to close
$18,012
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $123
Conventional, 5% down$2,328a month
Down payment
$13,855
Cash to close
$22,168
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $132
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,915a month
Down payment
$55,420
Cash to close
$63,733
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$2,171a month
Down payment
$41,565
Cash to close
$49,878
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in West Salem
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$2,379
$9,699
$272,081
7.18%
FHA MIP · $123
$18,012
580
Conventional, 5% down
$2,328
$13,855
$263,245
7.18%
PMI · $132
$22,168
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,915
$55,420
$221,680
7.18%
None
$63,733
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$2,171
$41,565
$235,535
8.18%
None
$49,878
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in West Salem is $1,283 a month: 21% above the county.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of La Crosse County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,343 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $25.83 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in La Crosse County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$935
$17.98
$37,400
1 bedroom
$1,027
$19.75
$41,080
2 bedrooms
$1,343
$25.83
$53,720
3 bedrooms
$1,721
$33.10
$68,840
4 bedrooms
$2,167
$41.67
$86,680
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in West Salem
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). West Salem is in ZIP code 54669.
For 2 bedrooms it is $1,550: $207 more than the fair market rent for La Crosse County ($1,343).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in West Salem, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
54669
$1,080
$1,180
$1,550
$1,990
$2,500
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
54669 $1,550$1,990
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for West Salem when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists 2 buildings with rents for lower incomes in West Salem. These are the largest.
Lacrosse Co540 Elm St W, West Salem 54669128 low-income homes · Run by LaCrosse County Housing Authority · Average payment: $457 a month · Average wait: 8 months · Homes at several sites(608) 781-5365
Cedar Court & Sparta Angelo Apts321 Wagon Dr, West Salem 5466968 low-income homes · 1 bd: 12 · 2 bd: 52 · 3 bd: 4 · In service since 1999 · For families(608) 786-4101
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
There are 2 HUD-approved agencies with an office in La Crosse County; 1 says it serves in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for West Salem or La Crosse County. The ones below are statewide in Wisconsin: they work in West Salem the same as in the rest of the state.
Wisconsin state agency second mortgage for the down payment: up to 6% of the price, over 10 years with a monthly payment and the same rate as the WHEDA first mortgage.Offered by Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA).
$7,500 loan from the Wisconsin state agency for the down payment and closing costs, over 30 years, at 0% and with no monthly payments, alongside a WHEDA mortgage; limited funds, first come, first served.Offered by Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA).
No legal help resource on our list is for West Salem or La Crosse County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for West Salem and all of La Crosse County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in West Salem?
The typical home value in West Salem is $277,100, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in La Crosse County it is $257,000.
How much does it cost to rent in West Salem?
Typical rent in West Salem is $1,283 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in La Crosse County is $1,343.
What is the FHA loan limit in West Salem?
West Salem uses the FHA limit for all of La Crosse County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in West Salem?
The typical homeowner in West Salem pays $3,568 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.29% of the home’s value; in La Crosse County, the rate is 1.54%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in West Salem?
There are 2 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in La Crosse County. 1 says it serves in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
