| Index | St. Paul | Minnesota | National |
| Cost of living | 105 | 100 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 103 | 100 | 100 |
| Housing | 114 | 100 | 100 |
| Transportation | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Utilities | 106 | 104 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 97 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 103 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 103 | 99 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in St. Paul is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in St. Paul is 105, which is 5% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
In St. Paul, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in St. Paul will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 15 locals to get their views on the cost of living in St. Paul. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 27% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 73% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is 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 St. Paul, the median home price is 17.4% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 4.6% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with St. Paul boasting a median household income of $90,139, 10.8% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In St. Paul, healthcare costs are 3% higher than the national average.
Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In St. Paul, the transportation index is 1.8% lower than the national average.
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 St. Paul, the housing index is 13.6% higher than the national average.
The St. Paul cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| 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 | $132,037 | $11,003 | $3,081 | $3,962 |
| Renters | $57,076 | $4,756 | $1,332 | $1,712 |
| 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. |
| 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% |
| St. Paul Park, MN | 5,562 | 101 | 1.2% |
| St. Paul, MN | 315,338 | 105 | 4.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| St. Louis, MO | 315,543 | 91 | 8.9% |
| Stockton, CA | 318,307 | 128 | 27.6% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 310,293 | 96 | 3.8% |
| Henderson, NV | 320,734 | 126 | 26.5% |
| Cincinnati, OH | 309,429 | 92 | 8.1% |
| St. Paul, MN | 315,338 | 105 | 4.6% |
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