Cost of Living in St. Paul, MN

Population 307,762 · Minnesota · Data vintage 2023

Cost Index
(100 = US avg)

Page updated: April 2026 · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year

Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

The St. Paul cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $280,000, rents near $1,248 a month.

Cost Overview

Housing 92

Rent 95

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in St. Paul

The median home value in St. Paul is $280,300 — 8% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,248/month, 5% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $73,055/year is 2% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.9%, above the national average of 4.8%. Minnesota's top state income tax rate is 9.8% and the combined sales tax is 7.4%. The climate averages highs of 55.2°F and lows of 37.7°F. Overall, St. Paul has a cost of living index of 93 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 7% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value

$280,300

8% below avg

Median Rent

$1,248/mo

5% below avg

Price-to-Rent Ratio

18.7x

Favors buying

Property Tax Rate

1.1%

Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio

$702

1 BR

$784

2 BR

$937

3 BR

$1,307

4 BR

$1,537

Owner-occupied 53.2%

Renter-occupied 46.8%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent

$1,248

Groceries national estimate

$400

Utilities local estimate

$88

Transportation local gas prices

$126

Estimated Total $1,862/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚

Eggs (dozen)

$0.548

🍞

White Bread (lb)

$1.912

🥩

Ground Beef (lb)

$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute

24.1 min

11% below avg

Gas Price

$3.145/gal

0% below avg

Work From Home

18.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone

59.3%

Carpooled

10.0%

Public transit

6.5%

Walked

3.6%

Bicycle

0.8%

Work from home

18.3%

⚡ Utilities

Electricity

$0.176/kWh

0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 9.8%

Total Sales Tax 7.4%

State rate 6.9%

Avg local rate 0.6%

Property Tax 1.1%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income

$73,055

2% below avg

Per Capita Income

$41,594

Unemployment Rate

4.9%

3% above avg

Poverty Rate

15.8%

Labor Force Participation

70.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 25.2%

Graduate degree 18.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 33.5

Male median age 33.4

Female median age 33.6

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High

55.2°F

Avg Low

37.7°F

Annual Precip

29.2"

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	24	29	42	57	69	79	83	80	72	58	42	29
Low °F	9	13	25	37	49	59	64	62	53	40	27	15
Precip"	0.48	0.52	1.43	2.58	3.97	4.63	3.97	4.10	3.08	2.47	1.32	0.65

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 49 — Good

51.5%

Good air days/yr

190

Max AQI recorded

352

PM2.5 days

Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in St. Paul, MN?

St. Paul has a cost index of 93 (100 = national average). It is 7% below the national average.

What is average rent in St. Paul, MN?

The median gross rent in St. Paul is $1,248 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in St. Paul?

The median home value in St. Paul is $280,300 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in St. Paul?

The median household income in St. Paul is $73,055 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in St. Paul, MN?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in St. Paul is 7.4%. The Minnesota state income tax top rate is 9.8%.

Is St. Paul, MN affordable?

St. Paul is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 93 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in St. Paul?

St. Paul has average high temperatures of 55.2°F and average lows of 37.7°F. Annual precipitation is 29.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

St. Paul at a Glance

Population: 307,762
Median Income: $73,055
Home Value: $280,300
Median Rent: $1,248/mo
Unemployment: 4.9%
Avg High Temp: 55.2°F
Sales Tax: 7.4%

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