South St. Paul 81 Exceptional
South St. Paul Livability #59 ranked city in Minnesota#1,415 ranked city in the USARanks better than 95% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in South St. Paul

PROS
  • Commute Commute

    The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.

  • Housing Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

CONS
  • Nothing Found Nothing Found

    None of the categories scored poorly, resulting in no identified cons for this area.

What's it like Living in South St. Paul?

South St. Paul, Minnesota is a medium-sized city with a population of 20,723 inhabitants. With a population density of 3,686 people per square mile, South St. Paul is well above the nation's average density level. At 78%, the majority of the South St. Paul population is White; this is followed by 4% Black and 3% Asian. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in South St. Paul will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 21 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, moving to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in South St. Paul, Minnesota could be a great experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. To help you find the best places to live in and around South St. Paul, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like cost of living, commute, health & safety, housing and more.

The livability score in South St. Paul is 80/100 and the city is ranked in the 94th percentile of all cities across America. Clearly, South St. Paul is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. South St. Paul is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. If we explore each of the categories on their own, we see that South St. Paul ranks well for cost of living (B), employment (B) and housing (A+). On a less positive note, South St. Paul does not have favorable scores for the following: amenities (D) and crime (D). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The South St. Paul market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

South St. Paul real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in South St. Paul. The median home price for South St. Paul homes is $372,841, which is 10% higher than the Minnesota average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in South St. Paul, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4, which is 8.1% higher than the Minnesota average.

Best Places to Live in and Around South St. Paul

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How Do You Rate The Livability In South St. Paul?

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Compare South St. Paul, MN Livability

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      South St. Paul transportation information

      Statistic South St. Paul Minnesota National
      Average one way commute21min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work78.7%78.0%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.7%8.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.3%3.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.6%0.8%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.8%2.8%2.8%
      Working from home4.9%5.3%4.6%
      Source: The South St. Paul, MN data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.