$100K in St. Paul = $95,876 in Midland
Your $100K salary in St. Paul (COL 97) has the same purchasing power as $95,876 in Midland (COL 93). Midland is cheaper — your money goes 4% further there.
Budget breakdown — $100K in both cities
What $100K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | St. Paul $100K | Midland $100K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $5,496 | $6,321 |
| 1BR rent | $1,500 | $1,200 |
| Groceries | $384 | $365 |
| Transport | $95 | $35 |
| Utilities | $195 | $178 |
| Internet | $63 | $65 |
| Left after essentials | $3,259/month | $4,478/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $100K in St. Paul equivalent to in Midland?
$100K in St. Paul (COL index 97) has the same purchasing power as $95,876 in Midland (COL index 93). That's 4% less than your current salary.
If I move from St. Paul to Midland keeping my $100K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $100K after moving to Midland, you'd have $1,219 more per month after core expenses — because Midland is cheaper than St. Paul.
How is the salary equivalent calculated?
The equivalent salary is calculated by multiplying your current salary by the ratio of the two cities' overall cost of living indices: $100K × (93 ÷ 97) = $95,876. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — St. Paul to Midland
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only