Median rent is 34% lower in St. Paul ($1,281/mo vs $1,933/mo). Buying is cheaper in St. Paul, where the median home runs $294,500 versus $921,200. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($81,939 vs $73,394 a year). Taken together, St. Paul is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 104.3 against 114.7 — about 9% lower overall prices.
Cost of living verdict
St. Paul is 9% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 104.3 in St. Paul vs 114.7 in Los Angeles (US national average = 100)
City A
Los Angeles, CA
City B
St. Paul, MN
How much would you need to earn in St. Paul, MN to maintain your standard of living from Los Angeles, CA?
Equivalent salary in St. Paul, MN
$68,172
You could earn $6,828 less (9% lower) and break even.
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
Los Angeles
California
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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in St. Paul — median rent of $1,281/mo versus $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, a 34% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $921,200 versus $294,500 in St. Paul — 68% more expensive.
Metric
Los Angeles
St. Paul
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Los Angeles
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
St. Paul
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Los Angeles has cleaner air on average: 31.0 AQI (Good) compared to 55.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick St. Paul if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 104.3 vs 114.7).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize higher median household income ($81,939/yr).
Pick St. Paul if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,281/mo median).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 31.0).
St. Paul is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 104.3 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 9% lower in St. Paul.
Median rent is $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, CA and $1,281/mo in St. Paul, MN. St. Paul, MN has the lower rent by about 34%.
Median household income is $81,939 in Los Angeles, CA and $73,394 in St. Paul, MN. Los Angeles, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Los Angeles, CA has better air quality on average: 31.0 AQI versus 55.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA is equivalent to roughly $90,896 in St. Paul, MN (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
