Cost of Living: St. Paul, MN vs Fremont, CA (2026)

St. Paul

Minnesota
91
VS

Fremont

California
278

St. Paul is 67% cheaper than Fremont.

$1,248/mo ↓ 57%
Median Rent
$2,905/mo ↑ 133%
$73,055/yr ↓ 59%
Median Income
$176,350/yr ↑ 141%
$280,300 ↓ 78%
Home Value
$1,289,400 ↑ 360%
$1,390/mo ↓ 54%
Owner Costs
$3,000/mo ↑ 116%
307,762
Population
228,518

Tax Comparison

9.85%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.875%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.11%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Paul, MN and Fremont, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 278 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,657/month cheaper in St. Paul, saving renters about $19,884/year.

Median household income is $103,295/year higher in Fremont. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Paul is $280,300 compared to $1,289,400 in Fremont.

Minnesota has a lower income tax rate, making St. Paul slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Paul vs Fremont — common questions

Is St. Paul or Fremont cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Paul is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 278 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Paul and Fremont?
Median rent in St. Paul is $1,248/month and in Fremont it's $2,905/month — a difference of $1,657/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Paul or Fremont?
Median household income is $73,055 in St. Paul and $176,350 in Fremont. Median household income is $103,295/year higher in Fremont.
How do taxes compare between Minnesota and California?
Minnesota has 9.85% income tax, 6.875% sales tax, and 1.11% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to St. Paul or Fremont?
It depends on your priorities. St. Paul has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,248/mo, while Fremont has a cost index of 278 with rent of $2,905/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Paul details → View Fremont details →

More Comparisons

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