salarySt. Paul is the 2nd-largest city in Minnesota that we track, with 307,284 residents. Rent is lower than in 61% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.7 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $57,720 a year. That is $28 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Minnesota cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Minnesota. It is number 62 of 150 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare St. Paul with other big cities
Compare St. Paul to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in St. Paul?
Share of households by yearly income. 26.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in St. Paul
| Size | St. Paul | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,117 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,275 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,553 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,894 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,017 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is St. Paul overall?
Everyday prices in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington metro area are 5% above the U.S. average (index 104.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in St. Paul
Life in St. Paul
What jobs pay in St. Paul
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $160,990 | 10.8% |
| Lawyer | $159,620 | 10.8% |
| Physician Assistant | $145,030 | 11.9% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $133,370 | 13.0% |
| Software Developer | $130,920 | 13.2% |
| Dental Hygienist | $112,630 | 15.4% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $112,090 | 15.4% |
| Civil Engineer | $104,740 | 16.5% |
| Operations Manager | $103,570 | 16.7% |
| Registered Nurse | $103,040 | 16.8% |
| Plumber | $101,630 | 17.0% |
| Market Research Analyst | $97,910 | 17.7% |
| Police Officer | $97,190 | 17.8% |
| Accountant | $86,500 | 20.0% |
| Electrician | $81,890 | 21.1% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $79,730 | 21.7% |
| HVAC Technician | $77,490 | 22.3% |
| Carpenter | $74,060 | 23.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $65,660 | 26.4% |
| Truck Driver | $64,200 | 27.0% |
| Medical Assistant | $52,570 | 32.9% |
| Customer Service Representative | $49,480 | 35.0% |
| Nursing Assistant | $48,020 | 36.1% |
| Warehouse Worker | $47,320 | 36.6% |
| Restaurant Cook | $39,640 | 43.7% |
| Firefighter | $39,350 | 44.0% |
| Retail Salesperson | $36,670 | 47.2% |
| Cashier | $35,760 | 48.4% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $25,920 | 66.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in St. Paul?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $600 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $294,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $29,450 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in St. Paul, MN?
Renting in St. Paul costs a median of about $1,443 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Minnesota median is $1,525.
How much do I need to make to live in St. Paul?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $57,720 a year, or $28 an hour at a full-time job.
Is St. Paul cheap or expensive?
St. Paul is rated OK: rent takes 21.9% of the typical household income of $79,155. It ranks 62nd cheapest of 150 Minnesota cities we track.
How much are property taxes in St. Paul?
The median homeowner in St. Paul pays $3,822 a year in property taxes, about 1.30% of the median home value.
Is St. Paul more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 5% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in St. Paul?
The median home value in St. Paul is $294,500, about 3.7 times the typical yearly household income.
307,284 people live in St. Paul. Numbers are typical (middle) values.