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

St. Paul

Minnesota
91
VS

Columbus

Georgia
69

St. Paul is 32% more expensive than Columbus.

$1,248/mo ↑ 16%
Median Rent
$1,072/mo ↓ 14%
$73,055/yr ↑ 29%
Median Income
$56,622/yr ↓ 22%
$280,300 ↑ 54%
Home Value
$182,300 ↓ 35%
$1,390/mo ↑ 31%
Owner Costs
$1,064/mo ↓ 23%
307,762
Population
204,383

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
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Paul, MN and Columbus, GA, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 69 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $176/month cheaper in Columbus, saving renters about $2,112/year.

Median household income is $16,433/year higher in St. Paul. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Paul is $280,300 compared to $182,300 in Columbus.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Paul vs Columbus — common questions

Is St. Paul or Columbus cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Columbus is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 91 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Paul and Columbus?
Median rent in St. Paul is $1,248/month and in Columbus it's $1,072/month — a difference of $176/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Paul or Columbus?
Median household income is $73,055 in St. Paul and $56,622 in Columbus. Median household income is $16,433/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 Columbus?
It depends on your priorities. St. Paul has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,248/mo, while Columbus has a cost index of 69 with rent of $1,072/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Paul details → View Columbus details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Paul and Columbus

St. Paul vs. Irvine St. Paul vs. Newark St. Paul vs. Cincinnati St. Paul vs. Pittsburgh St. Paul vs. Santa Ana St. Paul vs. Greensboro Columbus vs. Worcester Columbus vs. Salt Lake City Columbus vs. Cape Coral Columbus vs. Little Rock Columbus vs. Yonkers Columbus vs. McKinney