Maplewood, MN vs West St. Paul, MN

Maplewood, MN and West St. Paul, MN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.6% difference in their overall index. Maplewood scores 100 while West St. Paul scores 96 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Maplewood is $1,316/month compared to $1,195/month in West St. Paul — a 10% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: West St. Paul is more affordable at $281,800 median vs $291,300.

Median household income in Maplewood is $88,534 compared to $70,738 in West St. Paul (+25.2%). While Maplewood is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Maplewood spend roughly 17.8% of their income on rent, less than the 20.3% in West St. Paul.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (46.5°F vs 46.5°F). West St. Paul receives more rainfall at 29.2" per year compared to 29.2" in Maplewood.