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

St. Paul

Minnesota
91
VS

Sunnyvale

California
341

St. Paul is 73% cheaper than Sunnyvale.

$1,248/mo ↓ 59%
Median Rent
$3,065/mo ↑ 146%
$73,055/yr ↓ 60%
Median Income
$181,862/yr ↑ 149%
$280,300 ↓ 85%
Home Value
$1,816,600 ↑ 548%
$1,390/mo ↓ 54%
Owner Costs
$3,016/mo ↑ 117%
307,762
Population
153,455

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
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Paul, MN and Sunnyvale, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 91 and 341 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,817/month cheaper in St. Paul, saving renters about $21,804/year.

Median household income is $108,807/year higher in Sunnyvale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Paul is $280,300 compared to $1,816,600 in Sunnyvale.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Paul vs Sunnyvale — common questions

Is St. Paul or Sunnyvale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Paul is cheaper to live in with an index of 91 compared to 341 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Paul and Sunnyvale?
Median rent in St. Paul is $1,248/month and in Sunnyvale it's $3,065/month — a difference of $1,817/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Paul or Sunnyvale?
Median household income is $73,055 in St. Paul and $181,862 in Sunnyvale. Median household income is $108,807/year higher in Sunnyvale.
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 Sunnyvale?
It depends on your priorities. St. Paul has a cost index of 91 with median rent of $1,248/mo, while Sunnyvale has a cost index of 341 with rent of $3,065/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Paul details → View Sunnyvale details →

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