Madison vs St. Louis

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: Wisconsin salaries · Missouri salaries

Living in Madison vs St. Louis

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Madison has a housing index of 115 while St. Louis sits at 72 (national average = 100). The median home in Madison costs $340,000 compared to $175,000 in St. Louis, a difference of $165,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Madison versus $1,000 in St. Louis.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Madison scores 101 while St. Louis scores 97. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Madison (105) are higher than St. Louis (95). Both are close to the national average.

Median household income in Madison is $67,565 compared to $45,782 in St. Louis. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in St. Louis.

Relocating: Madison vs St. Louis

If you are considering a move between Madison (index: 106) and St. Louis (index: 90), the 15% cost difference has real implications for your budget. St. Louis is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Madison can afford $1,577/month, while the median household in St. Louis can afford $1,068/month. With median homes at $340,000 in Madison versus $175,000 in St. Louis, both cities offer reasonable homeownership opportunities at median income.

Renting vs buying: At $1,400/month in Madison and $1,000/month in St. Louis, renters save significantly in St. Louis. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes further in St. Louis where costs are 10% below the national average. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Madison (106) vs St. Louis (90)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Madison at 106 is 6% above the US average, while St. Louis at 90 is 10% below average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.

The overall index is a weighted average of housing (the largest component), groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Housing typically drives the biggest differences between cities. Even when two cities have similar overall indices, their category-level costs can vary significantly — one city might have expensive housing but cheap groceries, while another is the reverse. Check the category breakdown above for the full picture.

For renters: With median rents of $1,400/month in Madison and $1,000/month in St. Louis, the annual rent difference is approximately $4,800. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $24,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $165,000 difference in median home prices between Madison and St. Louis translates to roughly $9,900 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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