B
0%
Overall NAT. AVG.
4%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
7%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index South St. Paul Minnesota National
Cost of living10099100
Goods & Services96100100
Groceries9998100
Health care101109100
Housing107100100
Transportation9897100
Utilities9493100

An Overview of Cost of Living in South St. Paul, MN

The cost of living in South St. Paul affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in South St. Paul is 100, which is 0% equal to the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

The cost of living in South St. Paul is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, goods and services and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.

Is South St. Paul Affordable?

Is South St. Paul affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take South St. Paul, for instance, where the median home price falls 12.2% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 5.4% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with South St. Paul flaunting a median household income of $63,204, 14.2% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in South St. Paul?

Taxes: Areas with higher taxes, including sales taxes and income taxes, can contribute to a higher cost of living. Paying more tax for everyday goods and services like clothing and food will result in higher costs, as will paying a higher rate of income tax. The general sales tax rate in South St. Paul starts at 6.875% and the income tax rates start at 5.35%.

Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In South St. Paul, the housing index is 6.9% higher than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In South St. Paul, healthcare costs are 0.7% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The South St. Paul cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in South St. Paul is 1% higher than the Minnesota average
  • The cost of living in South St. Paul is equal to the national average
  • South St. Paul housing is 7% higher than the national average
  • Minnesota general sales tax is 35% higher than the national average
  • Minnesota state income tax is 137% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around South St. Paul

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Compare South St. Paul, MN Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$77,726$6,477$1,813$2,332
      Renters$34,601$2,883$807$1,038
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in South St. Paul, MN, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in South St. Paul have a median income of $77,726. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,813 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $34,601, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $807.

      Minnesota Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Minnesota 6.875% 7.875%

      Minnesota Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Minnesota 5.35% 9.85%

      Goods & Services

      Item South St. Paul National avg. Difference
      Haircut $28.67$24.2618.2%
      Beauty Salon $34.55$45.5624.2%
      Toothpaste $3.75$3.701.4%
      Shampoo $1.30$1.281.5%
      Movie $13.47$12.1311.0%
      Bowling $21.50$18.0019.4%

      Groceries

      Item South St. Paul National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.49$5.845.9%
      Fried Chicken $1.35$1.5714.2%
      Milk $4.63$4.670.8%
      Potatoes $4.98$4.930.8%
      Pizza $12.49$12.093.3%
      Beer $9.36$10.4110.1%

      Health Care

      Item South St. Paul National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $145.44$125.6815.7%
      Doctor $229.08$135.7868.7%
      Dentist $108.67$113.294.1%
      Ibuprofen $10.36$10.652.7%
      Lipitor $599.08$468.6027.8%

      Housing

      Item South St. Paul National avg. Difference
      Home Price $207,200.00$184,700.0012.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,941.44$2,346.6917.3%
      Apartment Rent $898.00$949.005.4%

      Transportation

      Item South St. Paul National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.38$3.462.5%
      Tire Balancing $61.74$59.923.0%

      Utilities

      Item South St. Paul National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $175.38$193.999.6%
      Phone $187.39$192.252.5%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Houlton, WI105973.3%
      Landfall, MN7967030.3%
      South End, MN657525.2%
      Hilltop, MN1,0077722.8%
      St. Anthony city (Stearns County), MN1068019.7%
      South St. Paul, MN20,1321000.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Ferndale, MI20,1391000.5%
      Charleston, IL20,141918.9%
      Sulphur, LA20,122909.7%
      Germantown, WI20,14211212.0%
      Albany, CA20,145206105.5%
      South St. Paul, MN20,1321000.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.