City comparison
No. St Paul's crime index is 166 versus 169 in New York, and its violent crime index is 160 versus 195, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Paul is cheaper. Median rent is $1,281 a month versus $1,821 in New York.
The cost gap between New York and St Paul is the real story here. St Paul comes in 30% cheaper on typical rent ($1,821 vs $1,281), which over a year adds up to $6,480. Median household income runs $80,483 in New York and $73,394 in St Paul.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. St Paul costs less and New York pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
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
New York and St Paul are 1,008 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,821 a month in New York to $1,281 a month in St Paul, down $540 a month (30%).
Median household income goes from $80,483 in New York to $73,394 in St Paul, down $7,089 (9%).
The crime index goes from 169 in New York to 166 in St Paul, down 3 points (2%).
The move
St Paul and New York are 1,008 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,281 a month in St Paul to $1,821 a month in New York, up $540 a month (42%).
Median household income goes from $73,394 in St Paul to $80,483 in New York, up $7,089 (10%).
The crime index goes from 166 in St Paul to 169 in New York, up 3 points (2%).
New York, NY
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 New York and St Paul? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
30% cheaper
St Paul rent is 30% cheaper than New York
New York
$1,821/mo
St Paul
Winner$1,281/mo
Typical rent runs $1,281 a month in St Paul versus $1,821 in New York, so St Paul is 30% cheaper. That's roughly $540/month back in your pocket ($6,480/year). Over five years that's $32,400 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 New York, 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 St Paul? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
10% higher
New York's median income is 10% higher than St Paul
New York
Winner$80,483
St Paul
$73,394
Median household income is $80,483 in New York versus $73,394 in St Paul, so typical pay runs 10% higher in New York (about $7,089 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
2% lower crime
St Paul's crime index is 2% lower than New York
New York
169 (100 = avg)
St Paul
Winner166 (100 = avg)
St Paul's crime index is 166 versus 169 in New York (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 2% 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 New York. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
10% more comfortable
New York weather is 10% more comfortable than St Paul
New York
Winner52°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 64/100
St Paul
50°F avg · 57°F highs · comfort 58/100
New York averages about 52°F (58°F highs); St Paul averages about 50°F (57°F highs). New York averages around 52°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. New York scores 10% 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
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 10% higher ($80,483), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 52°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
St Paul is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 30% 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 fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 2% lower than New York (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
New York runs $1,821/month while St Paul sits at $1,281 — roughly 30% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is New York-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
St Paul rent at $1,281/month is still below New York's $1,821, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Weather averages land near 52°F in New York and 50°F in St Paul.
Between New York and St Paul, St Paul is ahead on housing cost — $1,281/month rent against $1,821. Lean New York instead when your $80,483 income offer in New York outweighs saving $540/month in St Paul.
Common questions
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