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

St. Paul

Minnesota
91
VS

St. Petersburg

Florida
106

St. Paul is 14% cheaper than St. Petersburg.

$1,248/mo ↓ 19%
Median Rent
$1,542/mo ↑ 24%
$73,055/yr ≈ Same
Median Income
$73,118/yr ≈ Same
$280,300 ↓ 15%
Home Value
$331,500 ↑ 18%
$1,390/mo ↓ 3%
Owner Costs
$1,435/mo ↑ 3%
307,762
Population
260,646

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
25.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Paul, MN and St. Petersburg, FL, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 106 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $294/month cheaper in St. Paul, saving renters about $3,528/year.

Median household income is $63/year higher in St. Petersburg. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Paul is $280,300 compared to $331,500 in St. Petersburg.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Paul vs St. Petersburg — common questions

Is St. Paul or St. Petersburg cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Paul is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 106 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Paul and St. Petersburg?
Median rent in St. Paul is $1,248/month and in St. Petersburg it's $1,542/month — a difference of $294/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Paul or St. Petersburg?
Median household income is $73,055 in St. Paul and $73,118 in St. Petersburg. Median household income is $63/year higher in St. Petersburg.
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 St. Petersburg?
It depends on your priorities. St. Paul has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,248/mo, while St. Petersburg has a cost index of 106 with rent of $1,542/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Paul and St. Petersburg

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