Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Saint Paul
18.7%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Saint Paul
16.2%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 18.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 28.8% | 16.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 9.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Saint Paul
$73,055
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Saint Paul
$41,594
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Saint Paul
15.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $73,055 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $41,594 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 15.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Saint Paul
53.2%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 53.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Saint Paul
1992
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1992 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 24.1 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, 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 324 in Fort Lauderdale. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³).
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