Median rent is 13% lower in St. Paul ($1,281/mo vs $1,470/mo). Buying is cheaper in St. Paul, where the median home runs $294,500 versus $304,700. Households earn more in Arlington ($75,171 vs $73,394 a year). Taken together, Arlington is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 102.5 against 104.3 — about 2% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Arlington, TX.
Cost of living verdict
Arlington is 2% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 102.5 in Arlington vs 104.3 in St. Paul (US national average = 100)
City A
Arlington, TX
City B
St. Paul, MN
How much would you need to earn in St. Paul, MN to maintain your standard of living from Arlington, TX?
Equivalent salary in St. Paul, MN
$76,326
You'd need $1,326 more (2% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Arlington
Texas
St. Paul
Minnesota
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in St. Paul at $1,281/mo compared to $1,470/mo in Arlington (13% gap). Median home values are within 3% of each other: $304,700 in Arlington and $294,500 in St. Paul.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Arlington
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
St. Paul
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Both cities have similar air quality: Arlington averages 55.0 AQI (Moderate) and St. Paul averages 55.0 AQI (Moderate).
Pick St. Paul if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,281/mo median).
Is Arlington cheaper than St. Paul?
Arlington is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 102.5 versus 104.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 2% lower in Arlington.
How much is rent in Arlington vs St. Paul?
Median rent is $1,470/mo in Arlington, TX and $1,281/mo in St. Paul, MN. St. Paul, MN has the lower rent by about 13%.
Which has higher salaries — Arlington or St. Paul?
Median household income is $75,171 in Arlington, TX and $73,394 in St. Paul, MN. Arlington, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
St. Paul, MN has better air quality on average: 55.0 AQI versus 55.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Arlington or St. Paul?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in St. Paul to match my Arlington income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Arlington, TX is equivalent to roughly $101,768 in St. Paul, MN (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
