Is Pittsburgh, PA cheaper than St. Paul, MN?

Based on cost of living data, Pittsburgh, PA is 15.2% cheaper than St. Paul, MN. This translates to saving $1143 per month.

What salary do I need in Pittsburgh, PA to live like I do in St. Paul, MN?

If you earn $150,000 in St. Paul, MN, you'd need approximately $136,285.714 in Pittsburgh, PA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between St. Paul, MN and Pittsburgh, PA?

Housing in Pittsburgh, PA is 27.9% cheaper than in St. Paul, MN. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,050/month in Pittsburgh, PA compared to $1,680/month in St. Paul, MN.

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

Moving from St. Paul, MN to Pittsburgh, PA could save you approximately $1143 per month, or $13714 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

St. Paul, MN vs Pittsburgh, PA: 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 $1.1K/month moving to Pittsburgh, PA

$150.0K in your current city equals $136.3K in Pittsburgh, PA

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

Overall Cost

↓ 15.2%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,143

Savings

Annual Impact

$13.7K

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

Pittsburgh, PA

Population:303K

Cost Index:85

St. Paul, MN

The North Star State

304K

Population

State Tax

Yes

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

Pittsburgh, PA

The Keystone State

303K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Pennsylvania, this city has a population of 303K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: St. Paul, MN vs Pittsburgh, PA

Category	St. Paul, MN	Pittsburgh, PA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,703/mo	$1,949/mo	↓ $754less	27.9%
🏥Healthcare	$756/mo	$527/mo	↓ $229less	30.3%
🚗Transportation	$1,380/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $164less	11.9%
📦Other	$1,724/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $117less	6.8%
⚡All Utilities	$508/mo	$607/mo	↑ $98.36more	19.4%
🛒Groceries	$1,029/mo	$989/mo	↓ $39.97less	3.9%

🏠Housing

↓ 27.9%

St. Paul, MN

$2,703

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,949

Difference

$754

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 30.3%

St. Paul, MN

$756

Pittsburgh, PA

$527

Difference

$229

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 11.9%

St. Paul, MN

$1,380

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,216

Difference

$164

less

📦Other

↓ 6.8%

St. Paul, MN

$1,724

Pittsburgh, PA

$1,607

Difference

$117

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 19.4%

St. Paul, MN

$508

Pittsburgh, PA

$607

Difference

$98.36

🛒Groceries

↓ 3.9%

St. Paul, MN

$1,029

Pittsburgh, PA

$989

Difference

$39.97

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Pittsburgh, PA: Pittsburgh Earned Income Tax$4,500/yr (3.0%)

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$750

↓ $470

1 Bed

From$1,380

To$850

↓ $530

2 Bed

From$1,680

To$1,050

↓ $630

3 Bed

From$2,225

To$1,400

↓ $825

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.

$8,100

Monthly in St. Paul, MN

$6,894

Monthly in Pittsburgh, PA

$1,206

Difference

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $5.8K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$486

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

3.9%

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

Pittsburgh, PA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Pennsylvania State Tax

Effective: 3.1%

$4.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 27.7%

$41.6K

Take-Home Pay

$9,032/month

$108.4K

Additional Tax Information

St. Paul, MN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.0%

Property Tax:1.1%

Pittsburgh, PA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.5%

Property Tax:1.4%

💡 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.