Duluth MN 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)

Duluth, MN

Minnesota · Population: N/A

  • Median HH IncomeN/A
  • Median Home Price$292,800
  • UnemploymentN/A
  • Bachelor's+N/A

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
Duluth
N/A
Saint Paul
307,762
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Duluth
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Duluth
N/A
Saint Paul
33.5
Foreign Born
Duluth
N/A
Saint Paul
18.7%
White
Duluth
N/A
Saint Paul
53.2%
Black
Duluth
N/A
Saint Paul
16.2%
Asian
Duluth
N/A
Saint Paul
17.9%
Hispanic
Duluth
N/A
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Duluth
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Duluth
N/A
Saint Paul
$73,055
Per Capita Income
Duluth
N/A
Saint Paul
$41,594
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Duluth
$69,467
Saint Paul
$69,467
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Duluth
N/A
Saint Paul
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Duluth
N/A
Saint Paul
15.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Duluth
N/A
Saint Paul
43.5%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Duluth
$292,800
Duluth +
Saint Paul
$297,021
Homeownership Rate
Duluth
N/A
Saint Paul
53.2%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Duluth
284
Saint Paul
284
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Duluth
1992
Saint Paul
1992
Tie

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Duluth
35.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Duluth
10.0%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Duluth
17.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Duluth
7.3%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Duluth
20.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Duluth
15.1%
Saint Paul
N/A

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Duluth
39.7°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Duluth
31.0 in
Saint Paul
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Duluth
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Duluth
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Duluth
N/A
Saint Paul
24.1 min

Which City is Right for You?

Duluth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $292,800. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Duluth. Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).

Compare More Cities

About Duluth & Saint Paul