City Comparison

Springdale vs St. Paul

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Springdale

Arkansas
87
Below Average
$299,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$62,100
Median Income

St. Paul

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

The Verdict

13.0%

Springdale is 13.0% less expensive than St. Paul overall. A household earning $75,000 in Springdale would need approximately $86,207 in St. Paul to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
86
Springdale
98
St. Paul
Groceries
97
Springdale
103
St. Paul
Utilities
93
Springdale
97
St. Paul
Transportation
91
Springdale
108
St. Paul
Healthcare
82
Springdale
105
St. Paul

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Springdale has the same purchasing power as $86,207 in St. Paul.

Conversely, $75,000 in St. Paul equals $65,250 in Springdale.

Living in Springdale vs St. Paul

Housing Costs

Springdale's housing index of 86 is lower St. Paul's 98, translating to median home prices of $299,000 vs $260,000. The $39,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,532 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Springdale compared to $1,300/mo in St. Paul, a monthly difference of $300.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Springdale and 103 in St. Paul. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Springdale vs $489/month in St. Paul. Springdale offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Springdale and 97 in St. Paul. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Springdale vs $388 in St. Paul. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 82 in Springdale 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 $62,100 in Springdale and $57,718 in St. Paul. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,379 and $57,718 respectively. Springdale residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,449/month to housing in Springdale vs $1,347/month in St. Paul. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/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 Healthcare, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springdale is 13.0% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 100.
A $75,000 salary in Springdale has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $86,207 in St. Paul, based on the cost of living difference.
Springdale's housing index is 86 with median homes at $299,000, while St. Paul's is 98 with median homes at $260,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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