Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Madison, WI?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 17.1% cheaper than Madison, WI. This translates to saving $1286 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Madison, WI?

If you earn $150,000 in Madison, WI, you'd need approximately $134,571.429 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Madison, WI and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 32.1% cheaper than in Madison, WI. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,835/month in Madison, WI.

How much can I save per month by moving from Madison, WI to St. Louis, MO?

Moving from Madison, WI to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $1286 per month, or $15429 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Madison, WI

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.3K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $134.6K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Madison, WI area

Overall Cost

↓ 17.1%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,286

Savings

Annual Impact

$15.4K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Madison, WI

Population:270K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$427K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:83

Median Home:$145K

Madison, WI

The Badger State

270K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Wisconsin, this city has a population of 270K residents.

St. Louis, MO

The Show-Me State

302K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Missouri, this city has a population of 302K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Madison, WI vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Madison, WI	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,755/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $884less	32.1%
🏥Healthcare	$719/mo	$527/mo	↓ $192less	26.7%
🚗Transportation	$1,407/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $191less	13.6%
📦Other	$1,791/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $184less	10.3%
⚡All Utilities	$508/mo	$535/mo	↑ $27.32more	5.4%
🛒Groceries	$959/mo	$949/mo	↓ $9.99less	1.0%

🏠Housing

↓ 32.1%

Madison, WI

$2,755

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$884

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 26.7%

Madison, WI

$719

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$192

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 13.6%

Madison, WI

$1,407

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$191

less

📦Other

↓ 10.3%

Madison, WI

$1,791

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$184

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 5.4%

Madison, WI

$508

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$27.32

🛒Groceries

↓ 1.0%

Madison, WI

$959

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$9.99

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

St. Louis, MO: St. Louis Earnings Tax$1,500/yr (1.0%)

Madison, WI has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,370

To$910

↓ $460

1 Bed

From$1,605

To$950

↓ $655

2 Bed

From$1,835

To$1,160

↓ $675

3 Bed

From$2,425

To$1,490

↓ $935

Madison, WIZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,360–$1,840/mo

St. Louis, MOZIP-level data

1BR range: $800–$1,480/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$8,139

Monthly in Madison, WI

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$1,434

Difference

Home Values

Madison

St. Louis

$427K

Median Value

$145K

↑ +2.3%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +37.4%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$359K - $534K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 66% less expensive than Madison

Calculate payment - Madison Calculate payment - St. Louis

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $921

Per year

Monthly Difference

$76.74

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.6%

Rate difference

Madison, WI

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Wisconsin State Tax

Effective: 5.9%

$8.8K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.6%

$45.9K

Take-Home Pay

$8,678/month

$104.1K

St. Louis, MO

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Missouri State Tax

Effective: 5.3%

$7.9K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.0%

$44.9K

Take-Home Pay

$8,755/month

$105.1K

Additional Tax Information

Madison, WI Tax Rates

Sales Tax:5.6%

Property Tax:1.8%

St. Louis, MO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.0%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.