City Comparison
Apple Valley vs St. Louis Park
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Apple Valley scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Apple Valley
St. Louis Park
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
St. Louis Park is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Apple Valley.
| Metric | Apple Valley | St. Louis Park | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,650 | 0% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $110 | +18% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $220 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,615 | $2,575 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 108 | 108 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
St. Louis Park offers 3% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, St. Louis Park delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Apple Valley is estimated at
$58,000 vs $58,000 in St. Louis Park.
| Metric | Apple Valley | St. Louis Park |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $74,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,667 idx | 68,519 idx |
| Household Income | $104,500 | $88,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Apple Valley sees 1.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Apple Valley | St. Louis Park |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.90°F | 46.90°F |
| Summer High | 79.20°F | 79.70°F |
| Winter Low | 7.90°F | 7.40°F |
| Rainfall | 42.70 in | 41.70 in |
| Snowfall | 32.90 in | 31.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 256 | 258 |
| Humidity | 66.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
St. Louis Park has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Apple Valley.
St. Louis Park scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, St. Louis Park leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Apple Valley | St. Louis Park |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Walkability | 38.0/100 | 68.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Apple Valley is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of St. Louis Park.
From a growth perspective, Apple Valley is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, St. Louis Park has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Apple Valley | St. Louis Park |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 56,389 | 50,138 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 38.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Apple Valley
Advantages
Median household income exceeds $104,000, supporting a strong local economy per Census Bureau data (2024).
Consistently low crime rates make Apple Valley one of the safest suburbs in the Twin Cities metro area.
Home to the nationally renowned Minnesota Zoo, offering exceptional family entertainment locally.
Over 50 municipal parks and extensive trail networks provide outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities.
Highly rated local school district (ISD 196) attracts families seeking top-tier education.
Drawbacks
High housing costs and competitive real estate market limit affordability for first-time buyers per Zillow (2025).
Significant car dependency with limited public transit options outside of peak commuter bus routes.
Cold winter temperatures with frequent snowfall require high winter maintenance and heating costs.
Property taxes in Dakota County can be relatively high compared to national averages.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options within city limits require travel to Minneapolis or St. Paul.
St. Louis Park
Advantages
Exceptional proximity to downtown Minneapolis, offering a rapid commute via major transit and highway corridors.
Home to Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital, providing world-class healthcare access directly within city limits.
Over 50 meticulously maintained parks and extensive regional bike trail connections like the Cedar Lake Trail.
Thriving commercial and entertainment hubs like the Shops at West End with diverse dining and retail options.
Consistently high-performing public school district that continually draws families to the area.
Drawbacks
Housing costs and property taxes are noticeably higher than the national U.S. average.
Cold, harsh winter weather featuring significant snowfall accumulation typical of the Upper Midwest.
Increasing traffic congestion along major commuter arteries like Highway 100 and I-394 during peak hours.
Competitive real estate market with limited suburban housing inventory driving up purchase prices.
Property crime rates, particularly catalytic converter thefts and vehicle break-ins, align with urban-suburban metro patterns.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Apple Valley
#131Minnesota, USA
65.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
38.0/100
Sunny Days
256/yr
Avg Temp
46.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
80
Business
70
St. Louis Park
#225Minnesota, USA
63.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$74,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
258/yr
Avg Temp
46.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
82
Business
72
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