Cost of Living: St. Paul, MN vs Little Rock, AR (2026)

St. Paul

Minnesota
91
VS

Little Rock

Arkansas
74

St. Paul is 23% more expensive than Little Rock.

$1,248/mo ↑ 17%
Median Rent
$1,067/mo ↓ 15%
$73,055/yr ↑ 21%
Median Income
$60,583/yr ↓ 17%
$280,300 ↑ 27%
Home Value
$221,200 ↓ 21%
$1,390/mo ↑ 26%
Owner Costs
$1,099/mo ↓ 21%
307,762
Population
202,739

Tax Comparison

9.85%
Income Tax
4.4%
6.875%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
1.11%
Property Tax
0.62%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Paul, MN and Little Rock, AR, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 74 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $181/month cheaper in Little Rock, saving renters about $2,172/year.

Median household income is $12,472/year higher in St. Paul. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Paul is $280,300 compared to $221,200 in Little Rock.

Arkansas has a lower income tax rate, making Little Rock slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Paul vs Little Rock — common questions

Is St. Paul or Little Rock cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Little Rock is cheaper to live in with an index of 74 compared to 91 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Paul and Little Rock?
Median rent in St. Paul is $1,248/month and in Little Rock it's $1,067/month — a difference of $181/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Paul or Little Rock?
Median household income is $73,055 in St. Paul and $60,583 in Little Rock. Median household income is $12,472/year higher in St. Paul.
How do taxes compare between Minnesota and Arkansas?
Minnesota has 9.85% income tax, 6.875% sales tax, and 1.11% property tax. Arkansas has 4.4% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax.
Should I move to St. Paul or Little Rock?
It depends on your priorities. St. Paul has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,248/mo, while Little Rock has a cost index of 74 with rent of $1,067/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Paul details → View Little Rock details →

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