Median rent is 5% lower in Spokane ($1,215/mo vs $1,281/mo). Buying is cheaper in St. Paul, where the median home runs $294,500 versus $363,500. Households earn more in St. Paul ($73,394 vs $70,064 a year). Taken together, Spokane is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 92.4 against 104.3 — about 11% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Spokane, WA.
Cost of living verdict
Spokane is 11% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 92.4 in Spokane vs 104.3 in St. Paul (US national average = 100)
City A
Spokane, WA
City B
St. Paul, MN
How much would you need to earn in St. Paul, MN to maintain your standard of living from Spokane, WA?
Equivalent salary in St. Paul, MN
$84,680
You'd need $9,680 more (13% 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
Spokane
Washington
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: $1,215/mo in Spokane and $1,281/mo in St. Paul. Median home values are within 19% of each other: $363,500 in Spokane 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.
Spokane
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
St. Paul
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Spokane has cleaner air on average: 52.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 55.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Spokane if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 92.4 vs 104.3).
Is Spokane cheaper than St. Paul?
Spokane is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 92.4 versus 104.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 11% lower in Spokane.
How much is rent in Spokane vs St. Paul?
Median rent is $1,215/mo in Spokane, WA and $1,281/mo in St. Paul, MN. Spokane, WA has the lower rent by about 5%.
Which has higher salaries — Spokane or St. Paul?
Median household income is $70,064 in Spokane, WA 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?
Spokane, WA has better air quality on average: 52.0 AQI versus 55.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Spokane 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 Spokane income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Spokane, WA is equivalent to roughly $112,907 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
