City comparison
Yes. Madison's crime index is 91 versus 352 in St Louis, and its violent crime index is 68 versus 376, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Louis is cheaper. Median rent is $997 a month versus $1,413 in Madison.
Safety is where Madison and St Louis split most clearly. Madison scores 261 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,413 in Madison and $997 in St Louis.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. St Louis costs less and Madison pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. St Louis at $997 average has pockets that run $797 and others at $1,397: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Madison and St Louis are 310 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,413 a month in Madison to $997 a month in St Louis, down $416 a month (29%).
Median household income goes from $78,050 in Madison to $56,160 in St Louis, down $21,890 (28%).
The crime index goes from 91 in Madison to 352 in St Louis, up 261 points (287%).
The move
St Louis and Madison are 310 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $997 a month in St Louis to $1,413 a month in Madison, up $416 a month (42%).
Median household income goes from $56,160 in St Louis to $78,050 in Madison, up $21,890 (39%).
The crime index goes from 352 in St Louis to 91 in Madison, down 261 points (74%).
Madison, WI
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
St Louis, MO
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Madison and St Louis? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
29% cheaper
St Louis rent is 29% cheaper than Madison
Madison
$1,413/mo
St Louis
Winner$997/mo
Typical rent runs $997 a month in St Louis versus $1,413 in Madison, so St Louis is 29% cheaper. That's roughly $416/month back in your pocket ($4,992/year). Over five years that's $24,960 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Madison, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, St Louis is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in St Louis? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
39% higher
Madison's median income is 39% higher than St Louis
Madison
Winner$78,050
St Louis
$56,160
Median household income is $78,050 in Madison versus $56,160 in St Louis, so typical pay runs 39% higher in Madison (about $21,890 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Madison is the stronger labor market on paper. St Louis can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
74% lower crime
Madison's crime index is 74% lower than St Louis
Madison
Winner91 (100 = avg)
St Louis
352 (100 = avg)
Madison's crime index is 91 versus 352 in St Louis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 74% lower in Madison. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Madison is the easier city. St Louis can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
25% more comfortable
St Louis weather is 25% more comfortable than Madison
Madison
52°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 64/100
St Louis
Winner58°F avg · 67°F highs · comfort 80/100
Madison averages about 52°F (62°F highs); St Louis averages about 58°F (67°F highs). Madison averages around 52°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. St Louis averages around 58°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. St Louis scores 25% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Madison if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Madison is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 39% higher here ($78,050). Start with Madison if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Madison is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 74% lower than St Louis (91 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
St Louis is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 29% cheaper here at about $997 a month. Choose St Louis if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick St Louis if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (58°F) beat Madison on this page's weather index by 25%. Madison may pay more or cost less, but St Louis is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward Madison: Madison scores 63/100 versus 22/100 in St Louis, with typical rent at $1,413 versus $997. I would vet the exact ZIP in St Louis before trading 41 safety points for housing savings.
Madison still pays more locally ($78,050 median income vs $56,160), which can offset the lease if your field pays Madison rates.
Median income is $78,050 in Madison versus $56,160 in St Louis.
If safety drives your move, Madison is the stronger match (63/100 safety versus 22/100). If an employer or family tie already points to St Louis, treat $997/month rent and $56,160 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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