Median rent is 10% lower in St. Paul ($1,248/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in St. Paul, where the median home runs $280,300 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Chicago ($75,134 vs $73,055 a year). Taken together, St. Paul is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 102.6 against 105.7 — about 3% lower overall prices.
Quick verdict
St. Paul is 3% cheaper overall
Cost index: 102.6 in St. Paul vs 105.7 in Chicago (US average = 100)
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
St. Paul, MN
How much would you need to earn in St. Paul, MN to maintain your standard of living from Chicago, IL?
Equivalent salary in St. Paul, MN
$72,825
You could earn $2,175 less (3% lower) and break even.
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
Chicago
Illinois
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 $1,380/mo in Chicago (10% gap). Median home values are within 11% of each other: $315,200 in Chicago and $280,300 in St. Paul.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% versus 9.85% in Minnesota, so Chicago is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 6.88% in Minnesota; Chicago has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
St. Paul
Income tax: 9.85%
Sales tax: 6.88%
Chicago has cleaner air on average: 21.0 AQI (Good) compared to 24.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick St. Paul if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 102.6 vs 105.7).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.95%).
Is Chicago cheaper than St. Paul?
St. Paul is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 102.6 versus 105.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 3% lower in St. Paul.
How much is rent in Chicago vs St. Paul?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,248/mo in St. Paul, MN. St. Paul, MN has the lower rent by about 10%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or St. Paul?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $73,055 in St. Paul, MN. Chicago, IL 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?
Chicago, IL has better air quality on average: 21.0 AQI versus 24.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Chicago or St. Paul?
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% and Minnesota's is 9.85%. Chicago, IL has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in St. Paul to match my Chicago income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Chicago, IL is equivalent to roughly $97,100 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