Can I Afford to Live in Madison vs St. Louis on $120K?

Here's how a $120K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Madison, WI
$6,385/mo take-home
Rent: $1,650/mo (26% of take-home)
Comfortable
St. Louis, MO
$6,685/mo take-home
Rent: $1,300/mo (19% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Share on X

Monthly budget breakdown

Madison
WI
St. Louis
MO
Monthly take-home (est.)
$6,385
$6,685Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,650
$1,300Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$384
$369Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$62Best ✓
$75
Utilities
$162Best ✓
$162
Internet
$63
$60Best ✓
Left after essentials
$4,064/month
$4,719/month

Frequently asked questions

Is $120K a good salary in Madison?

At $120K/year in Madison, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,385. With 1BR rent around $1,650/month, rent takes up 26% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

Is $120K a good salary in St. Louis?

At $120K/year in St. Louis, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,685. With 1BR rent around $1,300/month, rent takes up 19% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $120K salary?

St. Louis leaves you with more money after core expenses — $4,719/month vs $4,064/month in Madison.

Can I afford to live alone in Madison on $120K?

Yes. At $120K in Madison, rent takes 26% of your take-home, leaving $4,064/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Madison vs St. Louis

$40K$50K$60K$75K$80K$100K$150K

See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only