St. Paul vs Tacoma
Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
St. Paul
Tacoma
💡 The Verdict
15% cheaper
St. Paul is 15% more affordable than Tacoma. A $75,000 salary in Tacoma is equivalent to $64,103 in St. Paul.
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 · Washington salaries
Living in St. Paul vs Tacoma
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. St. Paul has a housing index of 98 while Tacoma sits at 140 (national average = 100). The median home in St. Paul costs $260,000 compared to $400,000 in Tacoma, a difference of $140,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,300 in St. Paul versus $1,600 in Tacoma.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: St. Paul scores 103 while Tacoma scores 105. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in St. Paul (105) are lower than Tacoma (106). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in St. Paul is $57,718 compared to $58,974 in Tacoma. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in St. Paul.
Relocating: St. Paul vs Tacoma
If you are considering a move between St. Paul (index: 100) and Tacoma (index: 117), the 15% cost difference has real implications for your budget. St. Paul 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 Tacoma can afford $1,376/month. With median homes at $260,000 in St. Paul versus $400,000 in Tacoma, homeownership requires above-median income in the pricier market.
Renting vs buying: At $1,300/month in St. Paul and $1,600/month in Tacoma, 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 significantly further in St. Paul. 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 Tacoma (117)
The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. St. Paul at 100 is 0% below the US average, while Tacoma at 117 is 17% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
The overall index is a weighted average of housing (the largest component), groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Housing typically drives the biggest differences between cities. Even when two cities have similar overall indices, their category-level costs can vary significantly — one city might have expensive housing but cheap groceries, while another is the reverse. Check the category breakdown above for the full picture.
For renters: With median rents of $1,300/month in St. Paul and $1,600/month in Tacoma, the annual rent difference is approximately $3,600. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $18,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $140,000 difference in median home prices between St. Paul and Tacoma translates to roughly $8,400 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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