St. Paul vs Baltimore for Nurses (2026)
Scroll down for travel nurse analysis, rent burden, and FAQ.
Your move simulator
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Estimated annual swing
+$2,422/yr
Favoring St. Paul for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $202/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~75 months and still keep ~$24/mo for dining out.
Complete the Picture
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High-yield savings
Park ~$2,422/yr savings at 4–5%+ APY
Even $202/mo extra earns meaningfully at 4–5% APY vs near-zero in checking.
Travel nursing edge
St. Paul: maximize take-home on your next contract
Travel nurses in St. Paul often keep more after housing stipends at 4.8% state tax.
Home + auto bundle
New state — compare rates before you sign
Moving to St. Paul resets your insurance profile. Bundling home + auto often saves 15–25%.
Nurse salary cost breakdown
| Metric | St. Paul Minnesota | Baltimore Maryland | Your impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| State income tax | 9.9% | 4.8%Better | $3,825/yr saves in Baltimore |
| Est. monthly take-home ($82.75K RN) | $6,213 | $6,565Better | — |
| 1BR rent / month | $1,500Better | $1,900 | $4,800/yr saves in St. |
| 1BR rent burden | 24%Better | 29% | — |
| Internet / month | $63Better | $65 | — |
| Monthly utilities | $195 | $175Better | $240/yr saves in Baltimore |
| Walk score | 67 / 100Better | 66 / 100 | — |
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 97Better | 110 | — |
Your biggest money opportunities based on this comparison.
Nurse tax savings
Baltimore saves ~$352/mo on a nurse salary
No-tax states are especially powerful for nurses and travel nurses. Put that extra take-home in a high-yield savings account.
Savings potential
St. Paul: ~$3,937/mo after rent & living
Nurses with strong take-home can build wealth fast. Compare brokers and robo-advisors to put it to work.
Renters insurance
St. Paul saves ~$400/mo in rent
Protect your home — nursing shifts are long and you want peace of mind when you're away.
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Mortgages
See what you can afford in Baltimore
Compare rates from top lenders before your move — pre-approval is free and won't affect your score.
Home & Auto Insurance
Bundle before you move — save 15–25%
New state means new rates. Lock in Baltimore homeowners + auto quotes before your move date.
Moving Rewards Card
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Average family spends $6,200 on a move. These cards pay 2–4% back + 0% intro APR on purchases.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is better for nurses — St. Paul or Baltimore?
For nurses, St. Paul is the stronger choice based on take-home pay after taxes, rent burden, and cost of living. The key differentiator is state income tax: Baltimore has a lower state tax rate (4.8% vs 9.9%). For travel nurses specifically, no-income-tax states are especially valuable since housing stipends are already tax-exempt — earning more in a no-tax state can be worth $3,000–$6,000/year more in take-home pay.
How much take-home pay does a nurse earn in St. Paul vs Baltimore?
Based on the national average RN salary of $82,750/year, a nurse in St. Paul (9.9% state income tax) takes home approximately $6,213/month. In Baltimore (4.8% state income tax), take-home is $6,565/month — a difference of $352/month or ~$4,224/year. Note: this calculation uses state income tax only; federal taxes are not included.
What percentage of a nurse's income goes to rent in St. Paul vs Baltimore?
Financial advisors recommend keeping housing under 30% of gross income. In St. Paul, rent consumes 24% of a nurse's monthly take-home — very affordable, leaving significant room to save. In Baltimore, rent burden is 29% — manageable.
Is St. Paul or Baltimore better for travel nurses?
Travel nurses on assignment typically receive a base wage PLUS a tax-free housing stipend (usually $1,500–$3,000/month) that covers housing costs. For travel nurses, the state income tax on the base wage is the primary cost difference. Baltimore (4.8% rate) is more advantageous. The housing stipend covers most rent — so the $352/month tax difference goes directly into savings, compounding over a 13-week assignment to $1,056 extra in take-home.
How does the cost of living affect a nurse's purchasing power in St. Paul vs Baltimore?
A $82,750 nurse salary in St. Paul (COL 97) has the equivalent purchasing power of $93,840 in Baltimore (COL 110). The lower-cost city effectively gives nurses a ~13% raise with no salary negotiation required — more savings, faster debt payoff, and greater financial flexibility.
Nurse salary based on national median RN wage ($82,750/year, BLS 2024). Take-home calculated using state income tax rate only; federal taxes not included. Travel nurse stipend rules vary by assignment and employer. Data: BLS, Zillow, Tax Foundation · Q1 2026