Saint Paul MN vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Saint Paul
307,762
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Saint Paul
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Saint Paul
18.7%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Saint Paul
16.2%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Tampa
4.8%
Hispanic
Saint Paul
9.1%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Saint Paul
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.6 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 53.2% | 51.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 16.2% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 17.9% | 4.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Tampa
$71,302
Per Capita Income
Saint Paul
$41,594
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Tampa
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Saint Paul
4.9%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Saint Paul
43.5%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,055 | $71,302 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,594 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $65,328 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 15.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.5% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,021 | $376,530 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 50.2% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Tampa
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
1992
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 324 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Tampa
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Saint Paul
N/A
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Tampa
12.6%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 73.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 26.8 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, 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 324 in Tampa. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 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