| Index | South St. Paul | Minnesota | National |
| Cost of living | 102 | 100 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Housing | 108 | 100 | 100 |
| Transportation | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Utilities | 101 | 104 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 101 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 97 | 99 | 100 |
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 102, which is 2% higher than 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 closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, houshold expenses, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of South St. Paul can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Is South St. Paul affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in South St. Paul, the median home price is 14.2% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 5.9% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with South St. Paul boasting a median household income of $93,537, 15% higher than the national average.
Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In South St. Paul, the transportation index is 2% lower than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In South St. Paul, the groceries index is 0.9% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In South St. Paul, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 6.875%, and income tax rates start at 5.35%.
The cost of living data for South St. Paul shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $117,347 | $9,779 | $2,738 | $3,521 |
| Renters | $51,675 | $4,306 | $1,206 | $1,550 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Minnesota | 6.875% | 7.875% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Minnesota | 5.35% | 9.85% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Houlton, WI | 109 | 100 | 0.0% |
| Landfall, MN | 819 | 72 | 27.9% |
| South End, MN | 66 | 78 | 22.1% |
| Hilltop, MN | 1,045 | 80 | 20.0% |
| St. Anthony city (Stearns County), MN | 108 | 84 | 16.4% |
| South St. Paul, MN | 20,723 | 102 | 2.0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Shelby, NC | 20,722 | 90 | 9.6% |
| Rio Rico, AZ | 20,721 | 97 | 2.8% |
| Baie-Comeau, QC | 20,732 | n/a | |
| Tukwila, WA | 20,710 | 126 | 25.7% |
| Tullahoma, TN | 20,737 | 93 | 7.0% |
| South St. Paul, MN | 20,723 | 102 | 2.0% |
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