Cost of Living: St. Paul, MN vs Des Moines, IA (2026)

St. Paul

Minnesota
91
VS

Des Moines

Iowa
70

St. Paul is 30% more expensive than Des Moines.

$1,248/mo ↑ 18%
Median Rent
$1,054/mo ↓ 16%
$73,055/yr ↑ 14%
Median Income
$63,966/yr ↓ 12%
$280,300 ↑ 53%
Home Value
$183,700 ↓ 34%
$1,390/mo ↑ 22%
Owner Costs
$1,137/mo ↓ 18%
307,762
Population
212,464

Tax Comparison

9.85%
Income Tax
5.7%
6.875%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.11%
Property Tax
1.57%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
19.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Paul, MN and Des Moines, IA, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 70 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $194/month cheaper in Des Moines, saving renters about $2,328/year.

Median household income is $9,089/year higher in St. Paul. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Paul is $280,300 compared to $183,700 in Des Moines.

Iowa has a lower income tax rate, making Des Moines slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Paul vs Des Moines — common questions

Is St. Paul or Des Moines cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Des Moines is cheaper to live in with an index of 70 compared to 91 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Paul and Des Moines?
Median rent in St. Paul is $1,248/month and in Des Moines it's $1,054/month — a difference of $194/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Paul or Des Moines?
Median household income is $73,055 in St. Paul and $63,966 in Des Moines. Median household income is $9,089/year higher in St. Paul.
How do taxes compare between Minnesota and Iowa?
Minnesota has 9.85% income tax, 6.875% sales tax, and 1.11% property tax. Iowa has 5.7% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.57% property tax.
Should I move to St. Paul or Des Moines?
It depends on your priorities. St. Paul has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,248/mo, while Des Moines has a cost index of 70 with rent of $1,054/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Paul details → View Des Moines details →

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