Is Charlotte, NC cheaper than St. Paul, MN?

Based on cost of living data, Charlotte, NC is 7.6% cheaper than St. Paul, MN. This translates to saving $571 per month.

What salary do I need in Charlotte, NC to live like I do in St. Paul, MN?

If you earn $150,000 in St. Paul, MN, you'd need approximately $143,142.857 in Charlotte, NC to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between St. Paul, MN and Charlotte, NC?

Housing in Charlotte, NC is 8.7% cheaper than in St. Paul, MN. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,870/month in Charlotte, NC compared to $1,680/month in St. Paul, MN.

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

Moving from St. Paul, MN to Charlotte, NC could save you approximately $571 per month, or $6857 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

St. Paul, MN vs Charlotte, NC: 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 $571/month moving to Charlotte, NC

$150.0K in your current city equals $143.1K in Charlotte, NC

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

Overall Cost

↓ 7.6%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$571

Savings

Annual Impact

$6.9K

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

Charlotte, NC

Population:875K

Cost Index:92

Median Home:$399K

St. Paul, MN

The North Star State

304K

Population

State Tax

Yes

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

Charlotte, NC

The Tar Heel State

875K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Major banking center
•NASCAR headquarters
•Queen City

Major Industries

FinanceTechnologyEnergyMotorsports

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: St. Paul, MN vs Charlotte, NC

Category	St. Paul, MN	Charlotte, NC	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,703/mo	$2,469/mo	↓ $234less	8.7%
🚗Transportation	$1,380/mo	$1,202/mo	↓ $178less	12.9%
🏥Healthcare	$756/mo	$638/mo	↓ $118less	15.6%
🛒Groceries	$1,029/mo	$989/mo	↓ $39.97less	3.9%
📦Other	$1,724/mo	$1,707/mo	↓ $16.74less	1.0%
⚡All Utilities	$508/mo	$519/mo	↑ $10.93more	2.2%

🏠Housing

↓ 8.7%

St. Paul, MN

$2,703

Charlotte, NC

$2,469

Difference

$234

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 12.9%

St. Paul, MN

$1,380

Charlotte, NC

$1,202

Difference

$178

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 15.6%

St. Paul, MN

$756

Charlotte, NC

$638

Difference

$118

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 3.9%

St. Paul, MN

$1,029

Charlotte, NC

$989

Difference

$39.97

less

📦Other

↓ 1.0%

St. Paul, MN

$1,724

Charlotte, NC

$1,707

Difference

$16.74

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 2.2%

St. Paul, MN

$508

Charlotte, NC

$519

Difference

$10.93

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,220

To$1,630

↑ $410

1 Bed

From$1,380

To$1,710

↑ $330

2 Bed

From$1,680

To$1,870

↑ $190

3 Bed

From$2,225

To$2,300

↑ $75.00

St. Paul, MNZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,250–$1,680/mo

Charlotte, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,340–$2,310/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

$7,525

Monthly in Charlotte, NC

$575

Difference

Home Values

St. Paul

Charlotte

Median Value

$399K

YoY Change

↓ -1.1%

5-Year Change

↑ +40.8%

Price Range

$293K - $1.57M

Calculate payment - Charlotte

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $3.3K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$276

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.2%

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

Charlotte, NC

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

North Carolina State Tax

Effective: 4.8%

$7.1K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.4%

$44.1K

Take-Home Pay

$8,822/month

$105.9K

Additional Tax Information

St. Paul, MN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.0%

Property Tax:1.1%

Charlotte, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 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.