Is St. Paul, MN cheaper than Lincoln, NE?

Based on cost of living data, St. Paul, MN is 15.4% more expensive than Lincoln, NE. This translates to spending an extra $1154 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Paul, MN to live like I do in Lincoln, NE?

If you earn $150,000 in Lincoln, NE, you'd need approximately $163,846.154 in St. Paul, MN to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Lincoln, NE and St. Paul, MN?

Housing in St. Paul, MN is 28.4% more expensive than in Lincoln, NE. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,680/month in St. Paul, MN compared to $1,230/month in Lincoln, NE.

How much can I save per month by moving from Lincoln, NE to St. Paul, MN?

Living in St. Paul, MN costs approximately $1154 more per month than Lincoln, NE, or $13846 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Lincoln, NE vs St. Paul, MN: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Lincoln, NE

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.2K/month more in St. Paul, MN

$150.0K in your current city equals $163.8K in St. Paul, MN

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↑ 15.4%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,154

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$13.8K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Lincoln, NE

Population:295K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$274K

St. Paul, MN

Population:304K

Cost Index:

115

(15% above avg)

Median Home:$274K

Lincoln, NE

The Cornhusker State

295K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Nebraska, this city has a population of 295K residents.

St. Paul, MN

The North Star State

304K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Minnesota, this city has a population of 304K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Lincoln, NE vs St. Paul, MN

Category	Lincoln, NE	St. Paul, MN	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,105/mo	$2,703/mo	↑ $598more	28.4%
Other	$1,574/mo	$1,724/mo	↑ $151more	9.6%
Transportation	$1,243/mo	$1,380/mo	↑ $137more	11.0%
Groceries	$949/mo	$1,029/mo	↑ $79.94more	8.4%
Healthcare	$682/mo	$756/mo	↑ $74.35more	10.9%
All Utilities	$470/mo	$508/mo	↑ $38.25more	8.1%

Housing

↑ 28.4%

Lincoln, NE

$2,105

St. Paul, MN

$2,703

Difference

$598

Other

↑ 9.6%

Lincoln, NE

$1,574

St. Paul, MN

$1,724

Difference

$151

Transportation

↑ 11.0%

Lincoln, NE

$1,243

St. Paul, MN

$1,380

Difference

$137

Groceries

↑ 8.4%

Lincoln, NE

$949

St. Paul, MN

$1,029

Difference

$79.94

Healthcare

↑ 10.9%

Lincoln, NE

$682

St. Paul, MN

$756

Difference

$74.35

All Utilities

↑ 8.1%

Lincoln, NE

$470

St. Paul, MN

$508

Difference

$38.25

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$920

To$1,220

↑ $300

1 Bed

From$1,000

To$1,380

↑ $380

2 Bed

From$1,230

To$1,680

↑ $450

3 Bed

From$1,705

To$2,225

↑ $520

Lincoln, NEZIP-level data

1BR range: $820–$1,350/mo

St. Paul, MNZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,250–$1,680/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,022

Monthly in Lincoln, NE

$8,100

Monthly in St. Paul, MN

$1,078

Difference

Home Values

Lincoln

St. Paul

$274K

Median Value

↑ +3.8%

YoY Change

↑ +36%

5-Year Change

$194K - $575K

Price Range

Calculate payment - Lincoln

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $1.1K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$91.32

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.7%

Rate difference

Lincoln, NE

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Nebraska State Tax

Effective: 6.2%

$9.3K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.9%

$46.3K

Take-Home Pay

$8,638/month

$103.7K

St. Paul, MN

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Minnesota State Tax

Effective: 7.0%

$10.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.6%

$47.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,546/month

$102.6K

Additional Tax Information

Lincoln, NE Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.0%

Property Tax:1.8%

St. Paul, MN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.0%

Property Tax:1.1%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.