Median rent is 3% lower in St. Paul ($1,281/mo vs $1,321/mo). Buying is cheaper in Norfolk, where the median home runs $289,900 versus $294,500. Households earn more in St. Paul ($73,394 vs $66,109 a year). Taken together, Norfolk is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 97.7 against 104.3 — about 6% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in St. Paul, MN.
Cost of living verdict
Norfolk is 6% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 97.7 in Norfolk vs 104.3 in St. Paul (US national average = 100)
City A
Norfolk, VA
City B
St. Paul, MN
How much would you need to earn in St. Paul, MN to maintain your standard of living from Norfolk, VA?
Equivalent salary in St. Paul, MN
$80,050
You'd need $5,050 more (7% 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
Norfolk
Virginia
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 rents are similar in both cities: $1,321/mo in Norfolk and $1,281/mo in St. Paul. Median home values are within 2% of each other: $289,900 in Norfolk and $294,500 in St. Paul.
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Norfolk
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
St. Paul
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Norfolk has cleaner air on average: 45.0 AQI (Good) compared to 55.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Norfolk if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 97.7 vs 104.3).
Pick St. Paul if you prioritize higher median household income ($73,394/yr).
Pick Norfolk if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 45.0).
Is Norfolk cheaper than St. Paul?
Norfolk is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 97.7 versus 104.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 6% lower in Norfolk.
How much is rent in Norfolk vs St. Paul?
Median rent is $1,321/mo in Norfolk, VA and $1,281/mo in St. Paul, MN. St. Paul, MN has the lower rent by about 3%.
Which has higher salaries — Norfolk or St. Paul?
Median household income is $66,109 in Norfolk, VA 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?
Norfolk, VA has better air quality on average: 45.0 AQI versus 55.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Norfolk 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 Norfolk income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Norfolk, VA is equivalent to roughly $106,733 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
