Cost of Living: St. Paul, MN vs Stamford, CT (2026)

St. Paul

Minnesota
91
VS

Stamford

Connecticut
172

St. Paul is 47% cheaper than Stamford.

$1,248/mo ↓ 43%
Median Rent
$2,207/mo ↑ 77%
$73,055/yr ↓ 32%
Median Income
$107,474/yr ↑ 47%
$280,300 ↓ 54%
Home Value
$614,300 ↑ 119%
$1,390/mo ↓ 41%
Owner Costs
$2,358/mo ↑ 70%
307,762
Population
135,806

Tax Comparison

9.85%
Income Tax
6.99%
6.875%
State Sales Tax
6.35%
1.11%
Property Tax
2.15%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Paul, MN and Stamford, CT, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 172 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $959/month cheaper in St. Paul, saving renters about $11,508/year.

Median household income is $34,419/year higher in Stamford. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Paul is $280,300 compared to $614,300 in Stamford.

Connecticut has a lower income tax rate, making Stamford slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Paul vs Stamford — common questions

Is St. Paul or Stamford cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Paul is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 172 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Paul and Stamford?
Median rent in St. Paul is $1,248/month and in Stamford it's $2,207/month — a difference of $959/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Paul or Stamford?
Median household income is $73,055 in St. Paul and $107,474 in Stamford. Median household income is $34,419/year higher in Stamford.
How do taxes compare between Minnesota and Connecticut?
Minnesota has 9.85% income tax, 6.875% sales tax, and 1.11% property tax. Connecticut has 6.99% income tax, 6.35% sales tax, and 2.15% property tax.
Should I move to St. Paul or Stamford?
It depends on your priorities. St. Paul has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,248/mo, while Stamford has a cost index of 172 with rent of $2,207/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Paul details → View Stamford details →

More Comparisons

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