Cost of Living: St. Paul, MN vs Boise, ID (2026)

St. Paul

Minnesota
91
VS

Boise

Idaho
112

St. Paul is 19% cheaper than Boise.

$1,248/mo ↓ 8%
Median Rent
$1,359/mo ↑ 9%
$73,055/yr ↓ 10%
Median Income
$81,308/yr ↑ 11%
$280,300 ↓ 39%
Home Value
$456,000 ↑ 63%
$1,390/mo ↑ 4%
Owner Costs
$1,337/mo ↓ 4%
307,762
Population
235,701

Tax Comparison

9.85%
Income Tax
5.8%
6.875%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.11%
Property Tax
0.63%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Paul, MN and Boise, ID, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 112 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $111/month cheaper in St. Paul, saving renters about $1,332/year.

Median household income is $8,253/year higher in Boise. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Paul is $280,300 compared to $456,000 in Boise.

Idaho has a lower income tax rate, making Boise slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Paul vs Boise — common questions

Is St. Paul or Boise cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Paul is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 112 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Paul and Boise?
Median rent in St. Paul is $1,248/month and in Boise it's $1,359/month — a difference of $111/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Paul or Boise?
Median household income is $73,055 in St. Paul and $81,308 in Boise. Median household income is $8,253/year higher in Boise.
How do taxes compare between Minnesota and Idaho?
Minnesota has 9.85% income tax, 6.875% sales tax, and 1.11% property tax. Idaho has 5.8% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.63% property tax.
Should I move to St. Paul or Boise?
It depends on your priorities. St. Paul has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,248/mo, while Boise has a cost index of 112 with rent of $1,359/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Paul details → View Boise details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Paul and Boise

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