City comparison
No. Madison's crime index is 91 versus 166 in St Paul, and its violent crime index is 68 versus 160, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Paul is cheaper. Median rent is $1,281 a month versus $1,413 in Madison.
Safety is where St Paul and Madison split most clearly. Madison scores 75 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,281 in St Paul and $1,413 in Madison.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. St Paul 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 crime gap is citywide. Madison has rougher pockets and St Paul has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
St Paul and Madison are 224 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,281 a month in St Paul to $1,413 a month in Madison, up $132 a month (10%).
Median household income goes from $73,394 in St Paul to $78,050 in Madison, up $4,656 (6%).
The crime index goes from 166 in St Paul to 91 in Madison, down 75 points (45%).
The move
Madison and St Paul are 224 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,413 a month in Madison to $1,281 a month in St Paul, down $132 a month (9%).
Median household income goes from $78,050 in Madison to $73,394 in St Paul, down $4,656 (6%).
The crime index goes from 91 in Madison to 166 in St Paul, up 75 points (82%).
St Paul, MN
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Madison, WI
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing St Paul and Madison? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
9% cheaper
St Paul rent is 9% cheaper than Madison
St Paul
Winner$1,281/mo
Madison
$1,413/mo
Typical rent runs $1,281 a month in St Paul versus $1,413 in Madison, so St Paul is 9% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $132, or $1,584 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in St Paul? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
6% higher
Madison's median income is 6% higher than St Paul
St Paul
$73,394
Madison
Winner$78,050
Median household income is $78,050 in Madison versus $73,394 in St Paul, so typical pay runs 6% higher in Madison (about $4,656 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
45% lower crime
Madison's crime index is 45% lower than St Paul
St Paul
166 (100 = avg)
Madison
Winner91 (100 = avg)
Madison's crime index is 91 versus 166 in St Paul (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 45% 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 Paul can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
3% more comfortable
St Paul weather is 3% more comfortable than Madison
St Paul
Winner53°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 66/100
Madison
52°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 64/100
St Paul averages about 53°F (60°F highs); Madison averages about 52°F (62°F highs). St Paul averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Madison averages around 52°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. St Paul scores 3% 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
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
St Paul is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 9% cheaper here at about $1,281 a month. Choose St Paul if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick St Paul if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (53°F) beat Madison on this page's weather index by 3%. Madison may pay more or cost less, but St Paul is the city where the forecast fights you less.
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 6% 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 45% lower than St Paul (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.
Bottom line
Safety is the widest gap: Madison scores 63/100 versus 45/100 in St Paul. Rent is $1,413/month in Madison and $1,281/month in St Paul, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
St Paul rent at $1,281/month is still below Madison's $1,413, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,281 in St Paul and $1,413 in Madison.
Madison is ahead on safety (63/100 vs 45/100); St Paul is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,281/month rent plus $73,394 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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