Cost of Living in St. Louis Park, MN

With a cost of living index of 115, St. Louis Park, MN is a notably expensive place to live. Living here is 15% more expensive than the national average and 33% above the Minnesota state average of 82. With a population of 49,541, St. Louis Park is a mid-sized community that balances access to services with a more manageable cost of living compared to larger metros.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in St. Louis Park's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,589 (20% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $371,600 (22% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 3.7x the median household income — a moderately affordable ratio by today's standards.

The median household income in St. Louis Park is $100,250, which is 33% higher than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 19% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. While incomes are above average, they more than offset the higher cost of living.

Climate is another factor for anyone considering a move to St. Louis Park. The area sees an average annual temperature of 45.8°F, with summers averaging 71°F and winters around 19°F. Annual rainfall totals 30.7 inches spread over roughly 0 days. Cold winters mean higher heating bills, an important cost-of-living consideration.

Everyday prices in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area tend to run above the national average. Out of 6 common grocery and utility items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5 are priced higher than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.