Median rent is 25% lower in St. Paul ($1,281/mo vs $1,701/mo). Buying is cheaper in St. Paul, where the median home runs $294,500 versus $420,400. Households earn more in Tampa ($75,475 vs $73,394 a year). Taken together, Tampa is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 102.5 against 104.3 — about 2% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Tampa, FL.
Cost of living verdict
Tampa is 2% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 102.5 in Tampa vs 104.3 in St. Paul (US national average = 100)
City A
St. Paul, MN
City B
Tampa, FL
How much would you need to earn in Tampa, FL to maintain your standard of living from St. Paul, MN?
Equivalent salary in Tampa, FL
$73,685
You could earn $1,315 less (2% 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
St. Paul
Minnesota
Tampa
Florida
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 $1,701/mo in Tampa, a 25% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Tampa: the median home is $420,400 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.
St. Paul
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Tampa
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
St. Paul has cleaner air on average: 55.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 64.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick St. Paul if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,281/mo median).
Pick St. Paul if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 55.0).
Is St. Paul cheaper than Tampa?
Tampa is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 102.5 versus 104.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 2% lower in Tampa.
How much is rent in St. Paul vs Tampa?
Median rent is $1,281/mo in St. Paul, MN and $1,701/mo in Tampa, FL. St. Paul, MN has the lower rent by about 25%.
Which has higher salaries — St. Paul or Tampa?
Median household income is $73,394 in St. Paul, MN and $75,475 in Tampa, FL. Tampa, FL 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?
St. Paul, MN has better air quality on average: 55.0 AQI versus 64.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — St. Paul or Tampa?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Tampa to match my St. Paul income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in St. Paul, MN is equivalent to roughly $98,246 in Tampa, FL (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
