Cost of Living: St. Paul, MN vs Montgomery, AL (2026)

St. Paul

Minnesota
91
VS

Montgomery

Alabama
64

St. Paul is 42% more expensive than Montgomery.

$1,248/mo ↑ 18%
Median Rent
$1,059/mo ↓ 15%
$73,055/yr ↑ 31%
Median Income
$55,687/yr ↓ 24%
$280,300 ↑ 89%
Home Value
$148,500 ↓ 47%
$1,390/mo ↑ 36%
Owner Costs
$1,023/mo ↓ 26%
307,762
Population
198,440

Tax Comparison

9.85%
Income Tax
5.0%
6.875%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
1.11%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Paul, MN and Montgomery, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 64 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $189/month cheaper in Montgomery, saving renters about $2,268/year.

Median household income is $17,368/year higher in St. Paul. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Paul is $280,300 compared to $148,500 in Montgomery.

Alabama has a lower income tax rate, making Montgomery slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Paul vs Montgomery — common questions

Is St. Paul or Montgomery cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Montgomery is cheaper to live in with an index of 64 compared to 91 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Paul and Montgomery?
Median rent in St. Paul is $1,248/month and in Montgomery it's $1,059/month — a difference of $189/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Paul or Montgomery?
Median household income is $73,055 in St. Paul and $55,687 in Montgomery. Median household income is $17,368/year higher in St. Paul.
How do taxes compare between Minnesota and Alabama?
Minnesota has 9.85% income tax, 6.875% sales tax, and 1.11% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to St. Paul or Montgomery?
It depends on your priorities. St. Paul has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,248/mo, while Montgomery has a cost index of 64 with rent of $1,059/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Paul details → View Montgomery details →

More Comparisons

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