City Comparison

St. Paul vs Twin Falls

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

St. Paul

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

Twin Falls

Idaho
92
Below Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,150/mo
Median Rent
$60,900
Median Income

The Verdict

8.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 8.7%, with Twin Falls being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in St. Paul has equivalent purchasing power to $69,000 in Twin Falls.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
98
St. Paul
93
Twin Falls
Groceries
103
St. Paul
98
Twin Falls
Utilities
97
St. Paul
85
Twin Falls
Transportation
108
St. Paul
96
Twin Falls
Healthcare
105
St. Paul
94
Twin Falls

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in St. Paul has the same purchasing power as $69,000 in Twin Falls.

Conversely, $75,000 in Twin Falls equals $81,522 in St. Paul.

Living in St. Paul vs Twin Falls

Housing Costs

St. Paul's housing index of 98 is higher Twin Falls's 93, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $380,000. The $120,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,800 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in St. Paul compared to $1,150/mo in Twin Falls, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in St. Paul and 98 in Twin Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in St. Paul vs $466/month in Twin Falls. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in St. Paul and 85 in Twin Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in St. Paul vs $340 in Twin Falls. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 105 in St. Paul and 94 in Twin Falls. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $60,900 in Twin Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,718 and $66,196 respectively. Twin Falls residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,347/month to housing in St. Paul vs $1,421/month in Twin Falls. In St. Paul, median rent of $1,300/mo fits within this budget. In Twin Falls, median rent of $1,150/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 12 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Twin Falls is 8.7% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 100.
A $75,000 salary in St. Paul has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $69,000 in Twin Falls, based on the cost of living difference.
St. Paul's housing index is 98 with median homes at $260,000, while Twin Falls's is 93 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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