Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Madison, WI (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Madison

Wisconsin
103

St. Louis is 36% cheaper than Madison.

$978/mo ↓ 28%
Median Rent
$1,364/mo ↑ 39%
$55,279/yr ↓ 28%
Median Income
$76,983/yr ↑ 39%
$185,100 ↓ 47%
Home Value
$346,900 ↑ 87%
$1,013/mo ↓ 31%
Owner Costs
$1,476/mo ↑ 46%
293,109
Population
275,568

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
7.65%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
0.93%
Property Tax
1.61%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Madison, WI, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 103 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $386/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $4,632/year.

Median household income is $21,704/year higher in Madison. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $346,900 in Madison.

Missouri has a lower income tax rate, making St. Louis slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Madison — common questions

Is St. Louis or Madison cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 103 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Madison?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Madison it's $1,364/month — a difference of $386/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Madison?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $76,983 in Madison. Median household income is $21,704/year higher in Madison.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Wisconsin?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Wisconsin has 7.65% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 1.61% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Madison?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Madison has a cost index of 103 with rent of $1,364/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Madison details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Madison

St. Louis vs. Greensboro St. Louis vs. Lincoln St. Louis vs. Pittsburgh St. Louis vs. Jersey City St. Louis vs. Newark St. Louis vs. Anchorage Madison vs. Buffalo Madison vs. Chula Vista Madison vs. Chandler Madison vs. Gilbert Madison vs. Plano Madison vs. North Las Vegas