Chicago vs St. Paul

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: Illinois salaries · Minnesota salaries

Living in Chicago vs St. Paul

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Chicago has a housing index of 112 while St. Paul sits at 98 (national average = 100). The median home in Chicago costs $310,000 compared to $260,000 in St. Paul, a difference of $50,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,700 in Chicago versus $1,300 in St. Paul.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Chicago scores 104 while St. Paul scores 103. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Chicago (101) are lower than St. Paul (105). Both are close to the national average.

Median household income in Chicago is $62,097 compared to $57,718 in St. Paul. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in St. Paul.

Relocating: Chicago vs St. Paul

If you are considering a move between Chicago (index: 107) and St. Paul (index: 100), the 7% cost difference has real implications for your budget. St. Paul is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Chicago can afford $1,449/month, while the median household in St. Paul can afford $1,347/month. With median homes at $310,000 in Chicago versus $260,000 in St. Paul, both cities offer reasonable homeownership opportunities at median income.

Renting vs buying: At $1,700/month in Chicago and $1,300/month in St. Paul, renters save significantly in St. Paul. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes significantly further in St. Paul. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Chicago (107) vs St. Paul (100)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Chicago at 107 is 7% above the US average, while St. Paul at 100 is 0% below average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.

A 7-point index spread separates Chicago from St. Paul, a moderate gap that adds up across monthly bills but is manageable with a typical dual-income household budget. Housing shows the widest single-category margin at 112 versus 98, making it the area where residents will feel the most day-to-day price difference between Chicago and St. Paul. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors St. Paul with indices of 98 versus 112. Median home prices of $310,000 in Chicago and $260,000 in St. Paul underscore this gap. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Chicago has an edge in healthcare, while St. Paul is more affordable for housing and groceries. Your actual savings depend on which categories consume the biggest share of your personal budget.

For renters: With median rents of $1,700/month in Chicago and $1,300/month in St. Paul, the annual rent difference is approximately $4,800. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $24,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $50,000 difference in median home prices between Chicago and St. Paul translates to roughly $3,000 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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