Median rent is 13% lower in St. Paul ($1,281/mo vs $1,465/mo). Buying is cheaper in Jacksonville, where the median home runs $293,700 versus $294,500. Households earn more in St. Paul ($73,394 vs $69,872 a year). Taken together, Jacksonville is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 99.6 against 104.3 — about 4% lower overall prices.
Cost of living verdict
Jacksonville is 4% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 99.6 in Jacksonville vs 104.3 in St. Paul (US national average = 100)
City A
Jacksonville, FL
City B
St. Paul, MN
How much would you need to earn in St. Paul, MN to maintain your standard of living from Jacksonville, FL?
Equivalent salary in St. Paul, MN
$78,505
You'd need $3,505 more (5% 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
Jacksonville
Florida
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 $1,465/mo in Jacksonville (13% gap). Median home values are within 0% of each other: $293,700 in Jacksonville 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.
Jacksonville
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
St. Paul
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Jacksonville has cleaner air on average: 51.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 55.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Jacksonville if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 99.6 vs 104.3).
Pick St. Paul if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,281/mo median).
Is Jacksonville cheaper than St. Paul?
Jacksonville is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 99.6 versus 104.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 4% lower in Jacksonville.
How much is rent in Jacksonville vs St. Paul?
Median rent is $1,465/mo in Jacksonville, FL and $1,281/mo in St. Paul, MN. St. Paul, MN has the lower rent by about 13%.
Which has higher salaries — Jacksonville or St. Paul?
Median household income is $69,872 in Jacksonville, FL 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?
Jacksonville, FL has better air quality on average: 51.0 AQI versus 55.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Jacksonville, FL is equivalent to roughly $104,674 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
