Kent vs St. Paul
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Kent
St. Paul
The Verdict
Living in St. Paul costs 37.0% less than Kent. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Kent, you would need $54,745 in St. Paul.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Kent has the same purchasing power as $54,745 in St. Paul.
Conversely, $75,000 in St. Paul equals $102,750 in Kent.
Living in Kent vs St. Paul
Housing Costs
Kent's housing index of 195 is higher St. Paul's 98, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $260,000. The $335,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,780 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,750/mo in Kent compared to $1,300/mo in St. Paul, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 109 in Kent and 103 in St. Paul. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $518/month in Kent vs $489/month in St. Paul. St. Paul offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Kent and 97 in St. Paul. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Kent vs $388 in St. Paul. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 122 in Kent and 105 in St. Paul. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $98,300 in Kent and $57,718 in St. Paul. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,752 and $57,718 respectively. Kent residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,294/month to housing in Kent vs $1,347/month in St. Paul. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/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 97 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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