City comparison
Yes. Boston's crime index is 147 versus 166 in St Paul, and its violent crime index is 175 versus 160, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Paul is cheaper. Median rent is $1,281 a month versus $2,147 in Boston.
The cost gap between Boston and St Paul is the real story here. St Paul comes in 40% cheaper on typical rent ($2,147 vs $1,281), which over a year adds up to $10,392. Median household income runs $97,344 in Boston and $73,394 in St Paul.
This is a genuine split. Boston wins on the job market and safety and St Paul wins on cost of living. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. St Paul at $1,281 average has pockets that run $1,081 and others at $1,681: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Boston and St Paul are 1,112 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,147 a month in Boston to $1,281 a month in St Paul, down $866 a month (40%).
Median household income goes from $97,344 in Boston to $73,394 in St Paul, down $23,950 (25%).
The crime index goes from 147 in Boston to 166 in St Paul, up 19 points (13%).
The move
St Paul and Boston are 1,112 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,281 a month in St Paul to $2,147 a month in Boston, up $866 a month (68%).
Median household income goes from $73,394 in St Paul to $97,344 in Boston, up $23,950 (33%).
The crime index goes from 166 in St Paul to 147 in Boston, down 19 points (11%).
Boston, MA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
St Paul, MN
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Boston and St Paul? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
40% cheaper
St Paul rent is 40% cheaper than Boston
Boston
$2,147/mo
St Paul
Winner$1,281/mo
Typical rent runs $1,281 a month in St Paul versus $2,147 in Boston, so St Paul is 40% cheaper. That's roughly $866/month back in your pocket ($10,392/year). Over five years that's $51,960 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Boston, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, St Paul is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Boston? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
33% higher
Boston's median income is 33% higher than St Paul
Boston
Winner$97,344
St Paul
$73,394
Median household income is $97,344 in Boston versus $73,394 in St Paul, so typical pay runs 33% higher in Boston (about $23,950 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Boston is the stronger labor market on paper. St Paul can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
11% lower crime
Boston's crime index is 11% lower than St Paul
Boston
Winner147 (100 = avg)
St Paul
166 (100 = avg)
Boston's crime index is 147 versus 166 in St Paul (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 11% lower in Boston. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Boston, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in St Paul. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Boston and St Paul are about even on typical weather.
Boston
50°F avg · 56°F highs · comfort 58/100
St Paul
50°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 58/100
Boston averages about 50°F (56°F highs); St Paul averages about 50°F (58°F highs). Boston averages around 50°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. St Paul averages around 50°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Boston is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 33% higher here ($97,344). Start with Boston if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Boston is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 11% lower than St Paul (147 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to St Paul
St Paul is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 40% cheaper here at about $1,281 a month. Choose St Paul if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
On rent alone, St Paul undercuts Boston by $866/month ($1,281 vs $2,147). I would not pick Boston on housing cost without a job that clears that spread.
St Paul rent at $1,281/month is still below Boston's $2,147, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 48/100 in Boston and 45/100 in St Paul.
St Paul is the default on housing cost at $1,281/month versus $2,147 in Boston; Boston stays in play when $97,344 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $866 lease gap.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Boston when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Boston and St Paul, plus other cities in MA and MN.
