Median rent is 4% lower in St. Paul ($1,281/mo vs $1,331/mo). Buying is cheaper in Baltimore, where the median home runs $229,600 versus $294,500. Households earn more in St. Paul ($73,394 vs $62,177 a year). Taken together, Baltimore is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 103.2 against 104.3 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in St. Paul, MN.
Quick verdict
Baltimore is 1% cheaper overall
Cost index: 103.2 in Baltimore vs 104.3 in St. Paul (US average = 100)
City A
Baltimore, MD
City B
St. Paul, MN
How much would you need to earn in St. Paul, MN to maintain your standard of living from Baltimore, MD?
Equivalent salary in St. Paul, MN
$75,813
You'd need $813 more (1% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Baltimore
Maryland
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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,331/mo in Baltimore and $1,281/mo in St. Paul. Home buyers face a steeper market in St. Paul: the median home is $294,500 versus $229,600 in Baltimore — 22% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Baltimore
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
St. Paul
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Baltimore has cleaner air on average: 25.0 AQI (Good) compared to 55.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick St. Paul if you prioritize higher median household income ($73,394/yr).
Pick Baltimore if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 25.0).
Is Baltimore cheaper than St. Paul?
Baltimore is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 103.2 versus 104.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Baltimore.
How much is rent in Baltimore vs St. Paul?
Median rent is $1,331/mo in Baltimore, MD and $1,281/mo in St. Paul, MN. St. Paul, MN has the lower rent by about 4%.
Which has higher salaries — Baltimore or St. Paul?
Median household income is $62,177 in Baltimore, MD and $73,394 in St. Paul, MN. St. Paul, MN 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?
Baltimore, MD has better air quality on average: 25.0 AQI versus 55.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Baltimore 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 Baltimore income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Baltimore, MD is equivalent to roughly $101,084 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
