Saint Paul MN vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Saint Paul
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Saint Paul
33.5
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Saint Paul
53.2%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Tempe
9.5%
Hispanic
Saint Paul
9.1%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Saint Paul
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 186,419 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 13.9% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 53.2% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 16.2% | 7.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 17.9% | 9.5% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Saint Paul
$73,055
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Saint Paul
$41,594
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Saint Paul
43.5%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,055 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,594 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $59,120 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.7% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 16.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.5% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,021 | $468,328 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 41.6% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 450 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2150 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Tempe
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Tempe
7.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Saint Paul
N/A
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Tempe
9.1%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 27.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Tempe
9.3 in
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 9.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 450 in Tempe. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³).
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