Saint Paul MN vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Saint Paul
307,762
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Saint Paul
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
Washington
13.3%
White
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Saint Paul
16.2%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Saint Paul
9.1%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Saint Paul
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 34.9 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 13.3% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 53.2% | 39.1% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 16.2% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 17.9% | 4.1% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Saint Paul
$73,055
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Saint Paul
$41,594
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Saint Paul
$69,467
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Saint Paul
15.8%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Saint Paul
43.5%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,055 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,594 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.5% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.5% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,021 | $580,173 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 41.1% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 398 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 1999 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Washington
24.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Washington
7.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Saint Paul
N/A
Washington
14.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Washington
6.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Washington
9.7%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 24.6% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 6.7% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 24.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Saint Paul
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 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 +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 32.8 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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