Cost of Living: St. Paul, MN vs Birmingham, AL (2026)

St. Paul

Minnesota
91
VS

Birmingham

Alabama
62

St. Paul is 47% more expensive than Birmingham.

$1,248/mo ↑ 19%
Median Rent
$1,047/mo ↓ 16%
$73,055/yr ↑ 65%
Median Income
$44,376/yr ↓ 39%
$280,300 ↑ 102%
Home Value
$138,600 ↓ 51%
$1,390/mo ↑ 40%
Owner Costs
$991/mo ↓ 29%
307,762
Population
199,322

Tax Comparison

9.85%
Income Tax
5.0%
6.875%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
1.11%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Paul, MN and Birmingham, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 62 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $201/month cheaper in Birmingham, saving renters about $2,412/year.

Median household income is $28,679/year higher in St. Paul. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Paul is $280,300 compared to $138,600 in Birmingham.

Alabama has a lower income tax rate, making Birmingham slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Paul vs Birmingham — common questions

Is St. Paul or Birmingham cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Birmingham is cheaper to live in with an index of 62 compared to 91 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Paul and Birmingham?
Median rent in St. Paul is $1,248/month and in Birmingham it's $1,047/month — a difference of $201/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Paul or Birmingham?
Median household income is $73,055 in St. Paul and $44,376 in Birmingham. Median household income is $28,679/year higher in St. Paul.
How do taxes compare between Minnesota and Alabama?
Minnesota has 9.85% income tax, 6.875% sales tax, and 1.11% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to St. Paul or Birmingham?
It depends on your priorities. St. Paul has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,248/mo, while Birmingham has a cost index of 62 with rent of $1,047/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Paul details → View Birmingham details →

More Comparisons

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