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

St. Paul

Minnesota
91
VS

Lancaster

California
124

St. Paul is 27% cheaper than Lancaster.

$1,248/mo ↓ 26%
Median Rent
$1,696/mo ↑ 36%
$73,055/yr ↓ 4%
Median Income
$76,083/yr ↑ 4%
$280,300 ↓ 31%
Home Value
$409,100 ↑ 46%
$1,390/mo ↓ 20%
Owner Costs
$1,746/mo ↑ 26%
307,762
Population
170,013

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
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Paul, MN and Lancaster, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 124 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $448/month cheaper in St. Paul, saving renters about $5,376/year.

Median household income is $3,028/year higher in Lancaster. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Paul is $280,300 compared to $409,100 in Lancaster.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Paul vs Lancaster — common questions

Is St. Paul or Lancaster cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Paul is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 124 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Paul and Lancaster?
Median rent in St. Paul is $1,248/month and in Lancaster it's $1,696/month — a difference of $448/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Paul or Lancaster?
Median household income is $73,055 in St. Paul and $76,083 in Lancaster. Median household income is $3,028/year higher in Lancaster.
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 Lancaster?
It depends on your priorities. St. Paul has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,248/mo, while Lancaster has a cost index of 124 with rent of $1,696/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Paul details → View Lancaster details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Paul and Lancaster

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