Saint Paul MN vs San Diego CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Saint Paul
307,762
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Saint Paul
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
San Diego
36.0
Foreign Born
Saint Paul
18.7%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
San Diego
17.6%
Hispanic
Saint Paul
9.1%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Saint Paul
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 36.0 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 53.2% | 50.4% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 16.2% | 5.7% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 17.9% | 17.6% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Saint Paul
$73,055
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Saint Paul
$41,594
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Saint Paul
$69,467
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Saint Paul
15.8%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Saint Paul
43.5%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,055 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,594 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.5% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,021 | $1,006,261 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 47.6% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 503 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2388 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
San Diego
24.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
San Diego
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Saint Paul
N/A
San Diego
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
San Diego
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
San Diego
9.3%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 24.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
San Diego
12.3 in
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Saint Paul
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
San Diego
25.9 min
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 25.9 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 503 in San Diego. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Saint Paul, MNLos Angeles, CA vs Saint Paul, MNChicago, IL vs Saint Paul, MNHouston, TX vs Saint Paul, MNPhoenix, AZ vs Saint Paul, MNPhiladelphia, PA vs Saint Paul, MN