Cost of Living: St. Paul, MN vs Athens, GA (2026)

St. Paul

Minnesota
91
VS

Athens

Georgia
83

St. Paul is 10% more expensive than Athens.

$1,248/mo ↑ 7%
Median Rent
$1,162/mo ↓ 7%
$73,055/yr ↑ 41%
Median Income
$51,655/yr ↓ 29%
$280,300 ↑ 3%
Home Value
$271,800 ↓ 3%
$1,390/mo ↑ 20%
Owner Costs
$1,163/mo ↓ 16%
307,762
Population
126,987

Tax Comparison

9.85%
Income Tax
5.49%
6.875%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
1.11%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Paul, MN and Athens, GA, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 83 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $86/month cheaper in Athens, saving renters about $1,032/year.

Median household income is $21,400/year higher in St. Paul. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Paul is $280,300 compared to $271,800 in Athens.

Georgia has a lower income tax rate, making Athens slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Paul vs Athens — common questions

Is St. Paul or Athens cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Athens is cheaper to live in with an index of 83 compared to 91 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Paul and Athens?
Median rent in St. Paul is $1,248/month and in Athens it's $1,162/month — a difference of $86/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Paul or Athens?
Median household income is $73,055 in St. Paul and $51,655 in Athens. Median household income is $21,400/year higher in St. Paul.
How do taxes compare between Minnesota and Georgia?
Minnesota has 9.85% income tax, 6.875% sales tax, and 1.11% property tax. Georgia has 5.49% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to St. Paul or Athens?
It depends on your priorities. St. Paul has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,248/mo, while Athens has a cost index of 83 with rent of $1,162/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Paul details → View Athens details →

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