Median rent is 18% lower in St. Paul ($1,248/mo vs $1,526/mo). Buying is cheaper in St. Paul, where the median home runs $280,300 versus $346,200. Households earn more in Bloomington ($90,677 vs $73,055 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (102.6).
City A
Bloomington, MN
City B
St. Paul, MN
How much would you need to earn in St. Paul, MN to maintain your standard of living from Bloomington, MN?
Equivalent salary in St. Paul, MN
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
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
Bloomington
Minnesota
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 rent is modestly lower in St. Paul at $1,248/mo compared to $1,526/mo in Bloomington (18% gap). Median home values are within 19% of each other: $346,200 in Bloomington and $280,300 in St. Paul.
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Minnesota's top income tax rate is 9.85% versus 9.85% in Minnesota, so St. Paul is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.88% in Minnesota and 6.88% in Minnesota; St. Paul has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Bloomington
Income tax: 9.85%
Sales tax: 6.88%
St. Paul
Income tax: 9.85%
Sales tax: 6.88%
Air quality data is available for St. Paul (avg AQI 24.0) but not yet for Bloomington.
Pick Bloomington if you prioritize higher median household income ($90,677/yr).
Pick St. Paul if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,248/mo median).
Is Bloomington cheaper than St. Paul?
Bloomington is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 102.6 versus 102.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Bloomington.
How much is rent in Bloomington vs St. Paul?
Median rent is $1,526/mo in Bloomington, MN and $1,248/mo in St. Paul, MN. St. Paul, MN has the lower rent by about 18%.
Which has higher salaries — Bloomington or St. Paul?
Median household income is $90,677 in Bloomington, MN and $73,055 in St. Paul, MN. Bloomington, 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?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Bloomington or St. Paul?
Minnesota's top income tax rate is 9.85% and Minnesota's is 9.85%. St. Paul, MN has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in St. Paul to match my Bloomington income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Bloomington, MN is equivalent to roughly $100,000 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, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology