City comparison
No. St Paul's crime index is 166 versus 188 in Dallas, and its violent crime index is 160 versus 179, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Paul is cheaper. Median rent is $1,281 a month versus $1,472 in Dallas.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Dallas and St Paul. Dallas averages 67°F while St Paul averages 50°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,472 versus $1,281.
St Paul is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, the job market, and safety by margins that add up in daily life. Dallas makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone St Paul is the stronger move.
Weather is the one thing you cannot negotiate with. Visit St Paul in its coldest stretch before you sign anything.
The move
Dallas and St Paul are 863 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,472 a month in Dallas to $1,281 a month in St Paul, down $191 a month (13%).
Median household income goes from $70,518 in Dallas to $73,394 in St Paul, up $2,876 (4%).
The crime index goes from 188 in Dallas to 166 in St Paul, down 22 points (12%).
The move
St Paul and Dallas are 863 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,281 a month in St Paul to $1,472 a month in Dallas, up $191 a month (15%).
Median household income goes from $73,394 in St Paul to $70,518 in Dallas, down $2,876 (4%).
The crime index goes from 166 in St Paul to 188 in Dallas, up 22 points (13%).
Dallas, TX
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 Dallas and St Paul? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
13% cheaper
St Paul rent is 13% cheaper than Dallas
Dallas
$1,472/mo
St Paul
Winner$1,281/mo
Typical rent runs $1,281 a month in St Paul versus $1,472 in Dallas, so St Paul is 13% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $2,292, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. St Paul still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Dallas.
Planning to buy in St Paul? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
4% higher
St Paul's median income is 4% higher than Dallas
Dallas
$70,518
St Paul
Winner$73,394
Median household income is $73,394 in St Paul versus $70,518 in Dallas, so typical pay runs 4% higher in St Paul (about $2,876 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
12% lower crime
St Paul's crime index is 12% lower than Dallas
Dallas
188 (100 = avg)
St Paul
Winner166 (100 = avg)
St Paul's crime index is 166 versus 188 in Dallas (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 12% lower in St Paul. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in St Paul, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Dallas. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
72% more comfortable
Dallas weather is 72% more comfortable than St Paul
Dallas
Winner67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
St Paul
50°F avg · 57°F highs · comfort 58/100
Dallas averages about 67°F (74°F highs); St Paul averages about 50°F (57°F highs). Dallas sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. St Paul averages around 50°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Dallas scores 72% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose St Paul if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Pick Dallas if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (67°F) beat St Paul on this page's weather index by 72%. St Paul may pay more or cost less, but Dallas is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
St Paul is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 13% 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.
St Paul is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 4% higher here ($73,394). Start with St Paul if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
St Paul is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 12% lower than Dallas (166 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.
Bottom line
On weather alone, Dallas is the warmer market (67°F) and St Paul the cooler (50°F). Typical leases run $1,472 and $1,281; choose the climate you will tolerate year-round, not just on a visit weekend.
With only $191 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Safety scores read 41/100 in Dallas and 45/100 in St Paul.
Most movers who prioritize climate land in Dallas; St Paul only makes sense when 50°F matches how you want to live year-round.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Dallas and St Paul, plus other cities in TX and MN.
