New York NY 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)
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
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
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Saint Paul
307,762
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
Saint Paul
18.7%
White
New York
35.9%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Black
New York
22.7%
New York +
Saint Paul
16.2%
Asian
New York
14.6%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
New York +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 307,762 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 18.7% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 22.7% | 16.2% | New York + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 9.1% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
New York +
Saint Paul
$73,055
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
New York +
Saint Paul
$41,594
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
Saint Paul
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | New York, NY | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $73,055 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $41,594 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $69,467 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 15.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | New York, NY | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
New York +
Saint Paul
1992
| Metric | New York, NY | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1992 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New York, NY | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New York
44.2 min
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
| Metric | New York, NY | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 min | 24.1 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, 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 434 in New York. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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