Saint Paul MN vs San Jose 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 Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Saint Paul
307,762
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Saint Paul
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Saint Paul
18.7%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Saint Paul
17.9%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Saint Paul
9.1%
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Spanish at Home
Saint Paul
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 38.1 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 53.2% | 29.0% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 16.2% | 2.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 17.9% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 30.9% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Saint Paul
$73,055
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Saint Paul
$41,594
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Saint Paul
$69,467
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Unemployment Rate
Saint Paul
4.9%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Saint Paul
15.8%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Saint Paul
43.5%
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,055 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,594 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $77,230 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.5% | 46.5% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Saint Paul
53.2%
San Jose
56.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,021 | $1,452,609 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 56.0% | San Jose + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
San Jose
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
San Jose
2388
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | San Jose, 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 Jose
23.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
San Jose
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Saint Paul
N/A
San Jose
14.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
San Jose
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
San Jose
13.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
San Jose
9.4%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 23.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
San Jose
14.9 in
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 14.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Saint Paul
75.0%
San Jose
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Jose + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
San Jose
30.4 min
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 30.4 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, 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 Jose. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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