St. Paul vs Phoenix
Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
St. Paul
Phoenix
💡 The Verdict
St. Paul and Phoenix have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
💰 Salary Equivalence
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Minnesota salaries · Arizona salaries
Living in St. Paul vs Phoenix
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. St. Paul has a housing index of 98 while Phoenix sits at 102 (national average = 100). The median home in St. Paul costs $260,000 compared to $350,000 in Phoenix, a difference of $90,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,300 in St. Paul versus $1,400 in Phoenix.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: St. Paul scores 103 while Phoenix scores 99. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in St. Paul (105) are higher than Phoenix (95). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in St. Paul is $57,718 compared to $57,459 in Phoenix. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
Relocating: St. Paul vs Phoenix
If you are considering a move between St. Paul (index: 100) and Phoenix (index: 100), the 0% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Phoenix is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.
Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in St. Paul can afford $1,347/month, while the median household in Phoenix can afford $1,341/month. With median homes at $260,000 in St. Paul versus $350,000 in Phoenix, homeownership requires above-median income in the pricier market.
Renting vs buying: At $1,300/month in St. Paul and $1,400/month in Phoenix, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.
Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes about equally far in both cities. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
Reading These Numbers: St. Paul (100) vs Phoenix (100)
The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. St. Paul at 100 is 0% below the US average, while Phoenix at 100 is 0% below average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.
St. Paul and Phoenix land within 0 points of each other on the composite index (100 vs 100), so the overall cost picture is similar. Healthcare shows the widest single-category margin at 105 versus 95, making it the area where residents will feel the most day-to-day price difference between St. Paul and Phoenix. Housing costs are comparable between the two metros, with St. Paul at 98 and Phoenix at 102 on the housing sub-index and median home prices of $260,000 and $350,000 respectively. Neither city is cheaper across the board: St. Paul has an edge in housing, while Phoenix is more affordable for groceries and utilities. Your actual savings depend on which categories consume the biggest share of your personal budget.
For renters: With median rents of $1,300/month in St. Paul and $1,400/month in Phoenix, the annual rent difference is approximately $1,200. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $6,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $90,000 difference in median home prices between St. Paul and Phoenix translates to roughly $5,400 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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