St. Paul vs Youngstown
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
St. Paul
Youngstown
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 22.0%, with Youngstown being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in St. Paul has equivalent purchasing power to $61,500 in Youngstown.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in St. Paul has the same purchasing power as $61,500 in Youngstown.
Conversely, $75,000 in Youngstown equals $91,463 in St. Paul.
Living in St. Paul vs Youngstown
Housing Costs
St. Paul's housing index of 98 is higher Youngstown's 41, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $102,000. The $158,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,272 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in St. Paul compared to $725/mo in Youngstown, a monthly difference of $575.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in St. Paul and 98 in Youngstown. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in St. Paul vs $466/month in Youngstown. 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 96 in Youngstown. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in St. Paul vs $384 in Youngstown. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 105 in St. Paul and 90 in Youngstown. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $34,600 in Youngstown. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,718 and $42,195 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 $807/month in Youngstown. In St. Paul, median rent of $1,300/mo fits within this budget. In Youngstown, median rent of $725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 57 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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