Median rent is 19% lower in St. Paul ($1,281/mo vs $1,582/mo). Buying is cheaper in St. Paul, where the median home runs $294,500 versus $420,700. Households earn more in Phoenix ($81,332 vs $73,394 a year). Taken together, St. Paul is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 104.3 against 104.7 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Phoenix, AZ.
City A
Phoenix, AZ
City B
St. Paul, MN
How much would you need to earn in St. Paul, MN to maintain your standard of living from Phoenix, AZ?
Equivalent salary in St. Paul, MN
$74,732
You could earn $268 less (0% 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
Phoenix
Arizona
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 $1,582/mo in Phoenix (19% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Phoenix: the median home is $420,700 versus $294,500 in St. Paul — 30% more expensive.
Metric
Phoenix
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.
Phoenix
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
St. Paul
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Phoenix has cleaner air on average: 28.0 AQI (Good) compared to 55.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Phoenix if you prioritize higher median household income ($81,332/yr).
Pick St. Paul if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,281/mo median).
Pick Phoenix if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 28.0).
St. Paul is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 104.3 versus 104.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in St. Paul.
Median rent is $1,582/mo in Phoenix, AZ and $1,281/mo in St. Paul, MN. St. Paul, MN has the lower rent by about 19%.
Median household income is $81,332 in Phoenix, AZ and $73,394 in St. Paul, MN. Phoenix, AZ has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Phoenix, AZ has better air quality on average: 28.0 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 Phoenix, AZ is equivalent to roughly $99,643 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
