Cost of Living: St. Paul, MN vs Fort Lauderdale, FL (2026)

St. Paul

Minnesota
91
VS

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132

St. Paul is 31% cheaper than Fort Lauderdale.

$1,248/mo ↓ 30%
Median Rent
$1,776/mo ↑ 42%
$73,055/yr ↓ 9%
Median Income
$79,935/yr ↑ 9%
$280,300 ↓ 38%
Home Value
$455,600 ↑ 63%
$1,390/mo ↓ 22%
Owner Costs
$1,778/mo ↑ 28%
307,762
Population
183,032

Tax Comparison

9.85%
Income Tax
0%
6.875%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.11%
Property Tax
0.86%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Paul, MN and Fort Lauderdale, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $528/month cheaper in St. Paul, saving renters about $6,336/year.

Median household income is $6,880/year higher in Fort Lauderdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Paul is $280,300 compared to $455,600 in Fort Lauderdale.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Fort Lauderdale residents a significant tax advantage over Minnesota's 9.85% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Paul vs Fort Lauderdale — common questions

Is St. Paul or Fort Lauderdale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Paul is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Paul and Fort Lauderdale?
Median rent in St. Paul is $1,248/month and in Fort Lauderdale it's $1,776/month — a difference of $528/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Paul or Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income is $73,055 in St. Paul and $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale. Median household income is $6,880/year higher in Fort Lauderdale.
How do taxes compare between Minnesota and Florida?
Minnesota has 9.85% income tax, 6.875% sales tax, and 1.11% property tax. Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax.
Should I move to St. Paul or Fort Lauderdale?
It depends on your priorities. St. Paul has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,248/mo, while Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with rent of $1,776/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Paul details → View Fort Lauderdale details →

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