Is Austin, TX cheaper than St. Paul, MN?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 1.9% cheaper than St. Paul, MN. This translates to saving $143 per month.

What salary do I need in Austin, TX to live like I do in St. Paul, MN?

If you earn $150,000 in St. Paul, MN, you'd need approximately $148,285.714 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between St. Paul, MN and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 6.7% more expensive than in St. Paul, MN. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $1,680/month in St. Paul, MN.

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

Moving from St. Paul, MN to Austin, TX could save you approximately $143 per month, or $1714 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

St. Paul, MN vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 St. Paul, MN — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Saint Paul, MN area

Current salary in St. Paul, MN

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $143/month moving to Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $148.3K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI area

Overall Cost

↓ 1.9%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$143

Savings

Annual Impact

$1.7K

Per year

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

St. Paul, MN

Population:304K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$274K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:98

Median Home:$558K

St. Paul, MN

The North Star State

304K

Population

State Tax

Yes

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

Austin, TX

The Lone Star State

979K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Live music capital
•Major tech hub
•SXSW festival city

Major Industries

TechnologyMusic IndustryEducationGovernment

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: St. Paul, MN vs Austin, TX

Category	St. Paul, MN	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,703/mo	$2,885/mo	↑ $182more	6.7%
🏥Healthcare	$756/mo	$589/mo	↓ $167less	22.1%
🚗Transportation	$1,380/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $95.62less	6.9%
🛒Groceries	$1,029/mo	$959/mo	↓ $69.95less	6.8%
⚡All Utilities	$508/mo	$541/mo	↑ $32.79more	6.5%
📦Other	$1,724/mo	$1,741/mo	↑ $16.74more	1.0%

🏠Housing

↑ 6.7%

St. Paul, MN

$2,703

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$182

🏥Healthcare

↓ 22.1%

St. Paul, MN

$756

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$167

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 6.9%

St. Paul, MN

$1,380

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$95.62

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 6.8%

St. Paul, MN

$1,029

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$69.95

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 6.5%

St. Paul, MN

$508

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$32.79

📦Other

↑ 1.0%

St. Paul, MN

$1,724

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$16.74

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,220

To$1,585

↑ $365

1 Bed

From$1,380

To$1,685

↑ $305

2 Bed

From$1,680

To$1,995

↑ $315

3 Bed

From$2,225

To$2,525

↑ $300

St. Paul, MNZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,250–$1,680/mo

Austin, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,490–$2,350/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.

$8,100

Monthly in St. Paul, MN

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$101

Difference

Home Values

St. Paul

Austin

Median Value

$558K

YoY Change

↓ -5%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Calculate payment - Austin

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $10.4K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$869

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

7.0%

Rate difference

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

Austin, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Additional Tax Information

St. Paul, MN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.0%

Property Tax:1.1%

Austin, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

💡 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.