Edina, MN vs South St. Paul, MN

The cost of living difference between Edina, MN and South St. Paul, MN is dramatic. South St. Paul is 52.2% cheaper than Edina, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Edina has a cost index of 141 while South St. Paul sits at 93, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Edina is $1,757/month compared to $1,128/month in South St. Paul — a 56% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: South St. Paul is more affordable at $266,800 median vs $624,000.

Median household income in Edina is $129,225 compared to $84,472 in South St. Paul (+53%). While Edina is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Edina spend roughly 16.3% of their income on rent, more than the 16% in South St. Paul.