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 city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, 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.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
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).
Is Phoenix cheaper than St. Paul?
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.
How much is rent in Phoenix vs 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%.
Which has higher salaries — Phoenix or St. Paul?
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.
Which city has better air quality?
Phoenix, AZ has better air quality on average: 28.0 AQI versus 55.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Phoenix 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 Phoenix income?
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: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
