City Comparison

Irving vs St. Paul

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Irving

Texas
100
Average
$318,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$73,400
Median Income

St. Paul

Minnesota
100
Average
$260,000
Median Home
$1,300/mo
Median Rent
$57,718
Median Income

The Verdict

0.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 0.0%, with Irving being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Irving has equivalent purchasing power to $75,000 in St. Paul.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
94
Irving
98
St. Paul
Groceries
99
Irving
103
St. Paul
Utilities
111
Irving
97
St. Paul
Transportation
97
Irving
108
St. Paul
Healthcare
103
Irving
105
St. Paul

Salary Equivalence

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

Conversely, $75,000 in St. Paul equals $75,000 in Irving.

Living in Irving vs St. Paul

Housing Costs

Irving's housing index of 94 is lower St. Paul's 98, translating to median home prices of $318,000 vs $260,000. The $58,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,768 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Irving compared to $1,300/mo in St. Paul, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Irving and 103 in St. Paul. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Irving 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 111 in Irving and 97 in St. Paul. Monthly utility bills average approximately $444 in Irving 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 103 in Irving 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 $73,400 in Irving and $57,718 in St. Paul. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,400 and $57,718 respectively. Irving residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,713/month to housing in Irving vs $1,347/month in St. Paul. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/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 Utilities, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Irving is 0.0% more affordable overall with an index of 100 vs 100.
A $75,000 salary in Irving has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $75,000 in St. Paul, based on the cost of living difference.
Irving's housing index is 94 with median homes at $318,000, while St. Paul's is 98 with median homes at $260,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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