Austin TX vs Saint Paul MN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Saint Paul
307,762
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Saint Paul
53.2%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 307,762 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 59.9% | 53.2% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 16.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 9.1% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Saint Paul
$73,055
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Saint Paul
$41,594
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Saint Paul
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Saint Paul
15.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Saint Paul
43.5%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $73,055 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $41,594 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.9% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 15.8% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 43.5% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1992 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Saint Paul + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 24.1 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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