Saint Paul MN vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Saint Paul
307,762
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Saint Paul
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Saint Paul
53.2%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Saint Paul
16.2%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
Saint Paul
9.1%
Saint Paul +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Saint Paul
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.4 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 9.1% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 53.2% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 16.2% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 17.9% | 7.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 8.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Saint Paul
$73,055
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Saint Paul
$41,594
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Saint Paul
$69,467
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Saint Paul
4.9%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Saint Paul
15.8%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,055 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,594 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.5% | 40.4% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Saint Paul
53.2%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,021 | $427,121 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
284
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
1992
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Saint Paul
N/A
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 36.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Virginia Beach, VA | 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 +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Saint Paul
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 25.0 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 284 in Saint Paul. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 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