Odessa vs St. Paul

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Odessa has the same purchasing power as $88,235 in St. Paul.

Conversely, $75,000 in St. Paul equals $63,750 in Odessa.

Living in Odessa vs St. Paul

Housing Costs

Odessa's housing index of 72 is lower St. Paul's 98, translating to median home prices of $223,000 vs $260,000. The $37,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,400 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,150/mo in Odessa compared to $1,300/mo in St. Paul, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Odessa and 103 in St. Paul. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Odessa vs $489/month in St. Paul. Odessa offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 100 in Odessa and 97 in St. Paul. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Odessa vs $388 in St. Paul. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Odessa and 105 in St. Paul. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $73,500 in Odessa and $57,718 in St. Paul. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $86,471 and $57,718 respectively. Odessa residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,715/month to housing in Odessa vs $1,347/month in St. Paul. In Odessa, median rent of $1,150/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 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases