St. Paul wins overall by ~8% (COL index)
Cost of living: St. Paul vs Minneapolis (2026)
A $70,000 salary in St. Paul buys roughly what $76,495 does in Minneapolis (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$3,283/yr
Favoring St. Paul for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $274/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~55 months and still keep ~$33/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | St. Paul Minnesota | Minneapolis Minnesota | Who wins | Your impact at $70K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,200Better | $1,300 | St. Paul wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in St. Paul |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,500Better | $1,700 | St. Paul wins +$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in St. Paul |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,000Better | $2,200 | St. Paul wins +$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in St. Paul |
| Median home price | $310KBetter | $320K | St. Paul wins +$10K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 101Better | 103 | St. Paul wins +2 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $14Better | $15 | St. Paul wins +$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $56Better | $60 | St. Paul wins +$4/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $95Better | $95 | — | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.30Better | $3.30 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $142Better | $145 | St. Paul wins +$3/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $195Better | $195 | — | — |
| Internet/mo | $63Better | $65 | St. Paul wins +$2/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $65K | $75KWins | Minneapolis wins +$10K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 9.9%Better | 9.9% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.0%Better | 8.0% | — | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $14.00Better | $15.00 | St. Paul wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $40Better | $45 | St. Paul wins +$5/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.00Wins | $7.00 | St. Paul wins +$1.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 97Better | 106 | St. Paul wins +9 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 67 | 70Better | Minneapolis wins +3 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
St. Paul fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in St. Paul.
High-yield savings
Park ~$2,400/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Frequently asked questions
Is St. Paul cheaper than Minneapolis?
Yes. St. Paul is 8% cheaper than Minneapolis based on overall cost of living indices (97 vs 106, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in St. Paul vs Minneapolis?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in St. Paul is $1,500/month and in Minneapolis is $1,700/month. St. Paul is cheaper by 12%.
How much do I need to earn in Minneapolis to match a $75,000 salary in St. Paul?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $81,959/year in Minneapolis to match a $75,000 salary in St. Paul. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — St. Paul or Minneapolis?
Minneapolis has the lower state income tax rate at 9.9% vs 9.9%. The difference is 0.0 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from St. Paul to Minneapolis?
It depends on your priorities. St. Paul offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: St. Paul ↔ Minneapolis
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