Is Indianapolis, IN cheaper than St. Paul, MN?

Based on cost of living data, Indianapolis, IN is 17.1% cheaper than St. Paul, MN. This translates to saving $1286 per month.

What salary do I need in Indianapolis, IN to live like I do in St. Paul, MN?

If you earn $150,000 in St. Paul, MN, you'd need approximately $134,571.429 in Indianapolis, IN to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between St. Paul, MN and Indianapolis, IN?

Housing in Indianapolis, IN is 27.9% cheaper than in St. Paul, MN. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,360/month in Indianapolis, IN compared to $1,680/month in St. Paul, MN.

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

Moving from St. Paul, MN to Indianapolis, IN could save you approximately $1286 per month, or $15429 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

St. Paul, MN vs Indianapolis, IN: 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 $1.3K/month moving to Indianapolis, IN

$150.0K in your current city equals $134.6K in Indianapolis, IN

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

Overall Cost

↓ 17.1%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,286

Savings

Annual Impact

$15.4K

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

Indianapolis, IN

Population:888K

Cost Index:83

Median Home:$176K

St. Paul, MN

The North Star State

304K

Population

State Tax

Yes

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

Indianapolis, IN

The Hoosier State

888K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Indiana, this city has a population of 888K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: St. Paul, MN vs Indianapolis, IN

Category	St. Paul, MN	Indianapolis, IN	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,703/mo	$1,949/mo	↓ $754less	27.9%
🚗Transportation	$1,380/mo	$1,188/mo	↓ $191less	13.9%
🏥Healthcare	$756/mo	$582/mo	↓ $173less	23.0%
📦Other	$1,724/mo	$1,590/mo	↓ $134less	7.8%
🛒Groceries	$1,029/mo	$919/mo	↓ $110less	10.7%
⚡All Utilities	$508/mo	$503/mo	↓ $5.46less	1.1%

🏠Housing

↓ 27.9%

St. Paul, MN

$2,703

Indianapolis, IN

$1,949

Difference

$754

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 13.9%

St. Paul, MN

$1,380

Indianapolis, IN

$1,188

Difference

$191

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 23.0%

St. Paul, MN

$756

Indianapolis, IN

$582

Difference

$173

less

📦Other

↓ 7.8%

St. Paul, MN

$1,724

Indianapolis, IN

$1,590

Difference

$134

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 10.7%

St. Paul, MN

$1,029

Indianapolis, IN

$919

Difference

$110

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 1.1%

St. Paul, MN

$508

Indianapolis, IN

$503

Difference

$5.46

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Indianapolis, IN: Marion County Income Tax$3,030/yr (2.0%)

St. Paul, MN has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,220

To$1,030

↓ $190

1 Bed

From$1,380

To$1,170

↓ $210

2 Bed

From$1,680

To$1,360

↓ $320

3 Bed

From$2,225

To$1,760

↓ $465

St. Paul, MNZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,250–$1,680/mo

Indianapolis, INZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,080–$1,870/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

$6,732

Monthly in Indianapolis, IN

$1,368

Difference

Home Values

St. Paul

Indianapolis

Median Value

$176K

YoY Change

↓ -1.1%

5-Year Change

↑ +26.9%

Price Range

$109K - $340K

Calculate payment - Indianapolis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $5.6K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$466

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

3.7%

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

Indianapolis, IN

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Indiana State Tax

Effective: 3.2%

$4.8K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 27.9%

$41.9K

Take-Home Pay

$9,012/month

$108.1K

Additional Tax Information

St. Paul, MN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.0%

Property Tax:1.1%

Indianapolis, IN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.0%

Property Tax:0.9%

💡 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.