Moving from Atlanta to St. Paul (2026)
St. Paul has a COL index of 97 vs 110 for Atlanta (100 = US average). You'd pay about 12% less for the same lifestyle.
Save ~$359/mo
on core expenses · $75K salary baseline
Key differences
COL index
11097
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,900$1,500
per month
State tax
5.5%9.9%
income tax
Take-home at $75K
$4,397$4,122
per month
Salary needed in St. Paul to match your Atlanta lifestyle
Based on the 12% cost of living decrease between the two cities.
| Your salary in Atlanta | Equivalent in St. Paul |
|---|---|
| $40K | $35,273 |
| $50K | $44,091 |
| $60K | $52,909 |
| $75K | $66,136 |
| $80K | $70,545 |
| $100K | $88,182 |
| $120K | $105,818 |
| $150K | $132,273 |
Monthly budget at $75K — Atlanta vs St. Paul
| Expense | Atlanta | St. Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,397 | $4,122 |
| 1BR rent | $1,900 | $1,500 |
| Groceries | $376 | $384 |
| Transport | $95 | $95 |
| Utilities | $165 | $195 |
| Internet | $60 | $63 |
| Left after essentials | $1,801 | $1,885 |
Frequently asked questions
Is St. Paul cheaper than Atlanta?
Yes. St. Paul has a cost of living index of 97 vs 110 for Atlanta (100 = US average). That's about 12% cheaper.
How much will I save moving from Atlanta to St. Paul?
On a $75K salary, moving from Atlanta to St. Paul could save roughly $359/month on core expenses. That's ~$4,308/year.
What salary do I need in St. Paul to match my Atlanta lifestyle?
To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Atlanta, you'd need roughly $66,136/year in St. Paul. This is based on the overall COL index difference between the two cities.
Moving from St. Paul to AtlantaAtlanta vs St. Paul — full comparisonAtlanta cost of livingSt. Paul cost of living
Estimates based on Q1 2026 COL index and market data. Budget uses simplified federal/state tax rates at $75K. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · For general guidance only