Fishers vs St. Paul
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fishers
St. Paul
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 6.0%, with St. Paul being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fishers has equivalent purchasing power to $70,755 in St. Paul.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Fishers has the same purchasing power as $70,755 in St. Paul.
Conversely, $75,000 in St. Paul equals $79,500 in Fishers.
Living in Fishers vs St. Paul
Housing Costs
Fishers's housing index of 120 is higher St. Paul's 98, translating to median home prices of $391,000 vs $260,000. The $131,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,520 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,475/mo in Fishers compared to $1,300/mo in St. Paul, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Fishers and 103 in St. Paul. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Fishers 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 100 in Fishers and 97 in St. Paul. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Fishers vs $388 in St. Paul. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 99 in Fishers and 105 in St. Paul. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $130,200 in Fishers and $57,718 in St. Paul. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $122,830 and $57,718 respectively. Fishers residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,038/month to housing in Fishers vs $1,347/month in St. Paul. In Fishers, median rent of $1,475/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 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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