Arlington vs St. Paul

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $45,732 in St. Paul.

Conversely, $75,000 in St. Paul equals $123,000 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs St. Paul

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher St. Paul's 98, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $260,000. The $480,000 difference in home prices means roughly $31,200 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,300/mo in St. Paul, a monthly difference of $1,050.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 103 in St. Paul. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $489/month in St. Paul. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 97 in St. Paul. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $388 in St. Paul. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 105 in St. Paul. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $57,718 in St. Paul. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $57,718 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,347/month in St. Paul. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In St. Paul, median rent of $1,300/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 151 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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