City Comparison
St. Paul vs St. Louis Park
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
St. Louis Park scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
St. Paul
St. Louis Park
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
St. Paul is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in St. Louis Park.
Housing costs are a major driver: St. Paul's average rent is
12% lower than St. Louis Park's.
| Metric | St. Paul | St. Louis Park | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,459 | $1,650 | -12% |
| Groceries | $410 | $420 | -2% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $220 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,394 | $2,575 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 108 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
St. Louis Park offers 1% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, St. Paul delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in St. Paul is estimated at
$97,211 vs $58,000 in St. Louis Park.
| Metric | St. Paul | St. Louis Park |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $73,394 | $74,000 |
| Salary Needed | $97,211 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,899 idx | 68,519 idx |
| Household Income | $73,394 | $88,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — St. Paul sees 1.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | St. Paul | St. Louis Park |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.60°F | 46.90°F |
| Summer High | 79.30°F | 79.70°F |
| Winter Low | 7.20°F | 7.40°F |
| Rainfall | 40.00 in | 41.70 in |
| Snowfall | 32.10 in | 31.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 256 | 258 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
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 | St. Paul | St. Louis Park |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 68.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 43.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
St. Paul is the larger city
— approximately 6.1x the population of St. Louis Park.
From a growth perspective, St. Louis Park 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 | St. Paul | St. Louis Park |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 306,684 | 50,138 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 38.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
St. Paul
Advantages
Median home value of $294,500 sits approximately 11% below the U.S. national average per Census Bureau data.
Extensive park system featuring Como Park, more than 100 public parks, and extensive Mississippi River shoreline access.
Thriving higher education presence with esteemed institutions like Macalester College and the University of St. Thomas.
Rich cultural infrastructure, including the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts and world-class museums.
Robust public transit connectivity via the METRO Green Line light rail linking directly to downtown Minneapolis.
Drawbacks
Rigorous winter climate brings heavy seasonal snowfalls and prolonged sub-freezing temperatures.
Overall cost of living tracks roughly 4.8% above the national average driven by regional housing and tax structures.
State and local income tax burdens rank higher than the national median.
Property crime rates in specific commercial zones exceed national suburban medians.
Poverty rates in select urban core neighborhoods remain higher than state averages.
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.
St. Paul
#523Minnesota, USA
50.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,459
Avg Salary
$73,394
Cost Index
105
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
256/yr
Avg Temp
46.60°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
77
Business
71
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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