St. Paul wins overall by ~50% (COL index)
Cost of living: St. Paul vs San Francisco (2026)
A $97,500 salary in St. Paul buys roughly what $195,000 does in San Francisco (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
+$35,847/yr
Favoring St. Paul for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $2,987/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~6 months and still keep ~$358/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 | San Francisco California | Who wins | Your impact at $98K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,200Wins | $2,900 | St. Paul wins +$1,700/mo | $20,400/yr saves in St. Paul |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,500Wins | $3,600 | St. Paul wins +$2,100/mo | $25,200/yr saves in St. Paul |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,000Wins | $5,200 | St. Paul wins +$3,200/mo | $38,400/yr saves in St. Paul |
| Median home price | $310KWins | $1.2M | St. Paul wins +$890K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 101Wins | 118 | St. Paul wins +17 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $14Wins | $22 | St. Paul wins +$8/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $56Wins | $90 | St. Paul wins +$34/mo | $408/yr saves in St. Paul |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $95Better | $100 | St. Paul wins +$5/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.30Wins | $4.80 | St. Paul wins +$1.50 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $142Wins | $180 | St. Paul wins +$38/mo | $456/yr saves in St. Paul |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $195 | $160Wins | San wins −$35/mo | $420/yr saves in San |
| Internet/mo | $63Better | $70 | St. Paul wins +$7/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $65K | $130KWins | San wins +$65K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 9.9% | 9.3%Better | San wins -0.6 pp | $585/yr saves in San |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.0%Better | 8.6% | St. Paul wins +0.6 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $14.00Wins | $18.00 | St. Paul wins +$4.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $40Wins | $75 | St. Paul wins +$35/mo | $420/yr saves in St. Paul |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.00Wins | $9.00 | St. Paul wins +$3.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 97Wins | 194 | St. Paul wins +97 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 67 | 87Wins | San wins +20 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 ~$25,200/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
Ready to move?
Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is St. Paul cheaper than San Francisco?
Yes. St. Paul is 50% cheaper than San Francisco based on overall cost of living indices (97 vs 194, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in St. Paul vs San Francisco?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in St. Paul is $1,500/month and in San Francisco is $3,600/month. St. Paul is cheaper by 58%.
How much do I need to earn in San Francisco to match a $75,000 salary in St. Paul?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $150,000/year in San Francisco 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 San Francisco?
San Francisco has the lower state income tax rate at 9.3% vs 9.9%. The difference is 0.6 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 San Francisco?
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
More move scenarios
Planning a move?
Salary equivalent: St. Paul ↔ San Francisco
How much would you need to earn in San Francisco to match your St. Paul purchasing power?