Saint Paul MN vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Saint Paul
307,762
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Saint Paul
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Saint Paul
53.2%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Saint Paul
9.1%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Saint Paul
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 34.6 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 13.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 53.2% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 16.2% | 5.0% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 17.9% | 3.1% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,055 | $54,546 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,594 | $31,152 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $59,120 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.4% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 18.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.5% | 30.2% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,021 | $324,946 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 51.7% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tucson, 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
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Saint Paul
N/A
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Tucson
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 33.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Tucson
12.2 in
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
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 450 in Tucson. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³).
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