Cost of Living in St. Paul, MN

With a cost of living index of 97, St. Paul, MN is slightly more affordable than average. Living here is 3% cheaper than the national average and 15% above the Minnesota state average of 82. As a major city with a population of 307,762, St. Paul offers a wide range of housing options, employment opportunities, and urban amenities.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in St. Paul's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,248 (5% below the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $280,300 (8% below the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 3.8x the median household income — a moderately affordable ratio by today's standards.

The median household income in St. Paul is $73,055, which is 3% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 20% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum.

Climate is another factor for anyone considering a move to St. Paul. The area sees an average annual temperature of 46.5°F, with summers averaging 71°F and winters around 20°F. Annual rainfall totals 29.2 inches spread over roughly 102 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.