Plymouth 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)
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
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
Plymouth
79,526
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Plymouth
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Plymouth
40.7
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Plymouth
13.6%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Saint Paul
53.2%
Black
Plymouth
5.0%
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Asian
Plymouth
10.1%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Plymouth
4.7%
Saint Paul
9.1%
Saint Paul +
Spanish at Home
Plymouth
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,526 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 74.8% | 53.2% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 5.0% | 16.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 10.1% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 9.1% | Saint Paul + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Saint Paul
$73,055
Per Capita Income
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Saint Paul
$41,594
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Plymouth
$69,467
Saint Paul
$69,467
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Saint Paul
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Saint Paul
15.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
Saint Paul
43.5%
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $133,865 | $73,055 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $69,839 | $41,594 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $69,467 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.0% | 4.9% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% | 15.8% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.8% | 43.5% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Plymouth
$514,358
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
Saint Paul
53.2%
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $514,358 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.7% | 53.2% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plymouth
284
Saint Paul
284
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plymouth
1992
Saint Paul
1992
Tie
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 284 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1992 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
24.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
7.0%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Plymouth
12.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
5.3%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
18.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Plymouth
8.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.7% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plymouth
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plymouth
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Plymouth
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | 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
Plymouth
24.5 min
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Plymouth, MN | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 24.1 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, 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 284 in Plymouth. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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