Dublin vs St. Paul

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Dublin has the same purchasing power as $72,115 in St. Paul.

Conversely, $75,000 in St. Paul equals $78,000 in Dublin.

Living in Dublin vs St. Paul

Housing Costs

Dublin's housing index of 128 is higher St. Paul's 98, translating to median home prices of $470,000 vs $260,000. The $210,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,656 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,125/mo in Dublin compared to $1,300/mo in St. Paul, a monthly difference of $825.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Dublin and 103 in St. Paul. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Dublin vs $489/month in St. Paul. Dublin offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 110 in Dublin and 97 in St. Paul. Monthly utility bills average approximately $440 in Dublin vs $388 in St. Paul. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 82 in Dublin and 105 in St. Paul. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,000 in Dublin and $57,718 in St. Paul. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $53,846 and $57,718 respectively. St. Paul residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,307/month to housing in Dublin vs $1,347/month in St. Paul. In Dublin, median rent of $2,125/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 30 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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