Saint Paul MN vs St. Louis MO — 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
St. Louis
293,109
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Saint Paul
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Saint Paul
16.2%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
Saint Paul
9.1%
Saint Paul +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Saint Paul
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 293,109 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 36.6 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 6.6% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 53.2% | 45.7% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 16.2% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 17.9% | 3.4% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 5.1% | Saint Paul + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
St. Louis
$38,947
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
St. Louis
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
St. Louis
40.2%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,055 | $55,279 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,594 | $38,947 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $58,527 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.1% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 19.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.5% | 40.2% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Saint Paul
$297,021
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,021 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 45.4% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 501 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2418 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Saint Paul
N/A
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
St. Louis
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | St. Louis, MO | 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.)
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Saint Paul
75.0%
Saint Paul +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Saint Paul + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Saint Paul
24.1 min
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. 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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