B-
3%
Overall NAT. AVG.
4%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
17%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index North St. Paul Minnesota National
Cost of living10399100
Goods & Services96100100
Groceries9998100
Health care101109100
Housing117100100
Transportation9897100
Utilities9493100

An Overview of Cost of Living in North St. Paul, MN

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in North St. Paul? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in North St. Paul stands at 103, making it 3% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.

The cost of living in North St. Paul closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of North St. Paul can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is North St. Paul Affordable?

Is North St. Paul an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in North St. Paul is 19% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 12.3% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. North St. Paul has a median household income of $67,595, which is 22.2% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in North St. Paul?

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In North St. Paul, healthcare costs are 0.7% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In North St. Paul, the utilities index is 6.4% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The North St. Paul cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in North St. Paul is 4% higher than the Minnesota average
  • The cost of living in North St. Paul is 3% higher than the national average
  • North St. Paul housing is 17% higher than the national average
  • Minnesota general sales tax is 35% higher than the national average
  • Minnesota state income tax is 106% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around North St. Paul

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Compare North St. Paul, MN Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$92,375$7,698$2,155$2,772
      Renters$37,103$3,092$866$1,113
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in North St. Paul, MN, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in North St. Paul have a median income of $92,375. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $2,155 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $37,103, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $866.

      Minnesota Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Minnesota 6.875% 7.875%

      Minnesota Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Minnesota 5.35% 9.85%

      Goods & Services

      Item North St. Paul National avg. Difference
      Haircut $28.67$24.2618.2%
      Beauty Salon $34.55$45.5624.2%
      Toothpaste $3.75$3.701.4%
      Shampoo $1.30$1.281.5%
      Movie $13.47$12.1311.0%
      Bowling $21.50$18.0019.4%

      Groceries

      Item North St. Paul National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.49$5.845.9%
      Fried Chicken $1.35$1.5714.2%
      Milk $4.63$4.670.8%
      Potatoes $4.98$4.930.8%
      Pizza $12.49$12.093.3%
      Beer $9.36$10.4110.1%

      Health Care

      Item North St. Paul National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $145.44$125.6815.7%
      Doctor $229.08$135.7868.7%
      Dentist $108.67$113.294.1%
      Ibuprofen $10.36$10.652.7%
      Lipitor $599.08$468.6027.8%

      Housing

      Item North St. Paul National avg. Difference
      Home Price $219,800.00$184,700.0019.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,941.44$2,346.6917.3%
      Apartment Rent $1,066.00$949.0012.3%

      Transportation

      Item North St. Paul National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.38$3.462.5%
      Tire Balancing $61.74$59.923.0%

      Utilities

      Item North St. Paul National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $175.38$193.999.6%
      Phone $187.39$192.252.5%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Houlton, WI105973.3%
      Landfall, MN7967030.3%
      South End, MN657525.2%
      Hilltop, MN1,0077722.8%
      St. Anthony city (Stearns County), MN1068019.7%
      North St. Paul, MN12,4211032.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Derby, CT12,4201109.7%
      Blue Ash, OH12,41711716.7%
      West Monroe, LA12,4318316.7%
      Brock, ON12,406n/a 
      Markham, IL12,401963.9%
      North St. Paul, MN12,4211032.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.