Edina, MN vs West St. Paul, MN

The cost of living difference between Edina, MN and West St. Paul, MN is dramatic. West St. Paul is 47.1% cheaper than Edina, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Edina has a cost index of 141 while West St. Paul sits at 96, 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 $1,195/month in West St. Paul — a 47% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: West St. Paul is more affordable at $281,800 median vs $624,000.

Median household income in Edina is $129,225 compared to $70,738 in West St. Paul (+82.7%). 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, less than the 20.3% in West St. Paul.