City Comparison

St. Paul vs Stockholm

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

St. Paul

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

Stockholm

Sweden
97
Average
$445,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$50,000
Median Income

The Verdict

3.1%

Living in Stockholm costs 3.1% less than St. Paul. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in St. Paul, you would need $72,750 in Stockholm.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
98
St. Paul
118
Stockholm
Groceries
103
St. Paul
92
Stockholm
Utilities
97
St. Paul
88
Stockholm
Transportation
108
St. Paul
108
Stockholm
Healthcare
105
St. Paul
82
Stockholm

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in St. Paul has the same purchasing power as $72,750 in Stockholm.

Conversely, $75,000 in Stockholm equals $77,320 in St. Paul.

Living in St. Paul vs Stockholm

Housing Costs

St. Paul's housing index of 98 is lower Stockholm's 118, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $445,000. The $185,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,024 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in St. Paul compared to $1,500/mo in Stockholm, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in St. Paul and 92 in Stockholm. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in St. Paul vs $437/month in Stockholm. Stockholm offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in St. Paul and 88 in Stockholm. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in St. Paul vs $352 in Stockholm. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 105 in St. Paul and 82 in Stockholm. 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 $57,718 in St. Paul and $50,000 in Stockholm. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,718 and $51,546 respectively. St. Paul residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,347/month to housing in St. Paul vs $1,167/month in Stockholm. In St. Paul, median rent of $1,300/mo fits within this budget. In Stockholm, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. 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

Stockholm is 3.1% more affordable overall with an index of 97 vs 100.
A $75,000 salary in St. Paul has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $72,750 in Stockholm, based on the cost of living difference.
St. Paul's housing index is 98 with median homes at $260,000, while Stockholm's is 118 with median homes at $445,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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