Saint Paul MN vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Saint Paul
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Saint Paul
53.2%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Tacoma
8.8%
Hispanic
Saint Paul
9.1%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Saint Paul
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 220,482 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.3 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 12.2% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 53.2% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 16.2% | 10.5% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 17.9% | 8.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Saint Paul
$73,055
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Saint Paul
$41,594
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Saint Paul
$69,467
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Saint Paul
15.8%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,055 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,594 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.3% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.5% | 33.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Saint Paul
53.2%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,021 | $496,966 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Tacoma
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 383 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 3409 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Saint Paul
N/A
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 31.1 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, 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 383 in Tacoma. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 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