Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
12% cheaper
St. Paul is 12% more affordable than Ann Arbor. A $75,000 salary in Ann Arbor is equivalent to $65,789 in St. Paul.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Michigan salaries · Minnesota salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Ann Arbor has a housing index of 135 while St. Paul sits at 98 (national average = 100). The median home in Ann Arbor costs $400,000 compared to $260,000 in St. Paul, a difference of $140,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,600 in Ann Arbor versus $1,300 in St. Paul.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Ann Arbor scores 101 while St. Paul scores 103. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Ann Arbor (101) are lower than St. Paul (105). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Ann Arbor is $65,024 compared to $57,718 in St. Paul. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in St. Paul.
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