Raleigh NC 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)
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
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
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Saint Paul
307,762
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Saint Paul
53.2%
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Saint Paul
16.2%
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 307,762 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 53.8% | 53.2% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 27.5% | 16.2% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Saint Paul
$73,055
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Saint Paul
$41,594
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Saint Paul
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Saint Paul
15.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
Saint Paul
43.5%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $73,055 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $41,594 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.9% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 15.8% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 43.5% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1992 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 24.1 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, 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 398 in Raleigh. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Raleigh, NCLos Angeles, CA vs Raleigh, NCChicago, IL vs Raleigh, NCHouston, TX vs Raleigh, NCPhoenix, AZ vs Raleigh, NCPhiladelphia, PA vs Raleigh, NC