City comparison
No. St Paul's crime index is 166 versus 434 in Oakland, and its violent crime index is 160 versus 491, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Paul is cheaper. Median rent is $1,281 a month versus $1,979 in Oakland.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Oakland and St Paul. Oakland averages 68°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 $1,979 versus $1,281.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. St Paul costs less and Oakland 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
Oakland and St Paul are 1,581 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,979 a month in Oakland to $1,281 a month in St Paul, down $698 a month (35%).
Median household income goes from $101,600 in Oakland to $73,394 in St Paul, down $28,206 (28%).
The crime index goes from 434 in Oakland to 166 in St Paul, down 268 points (62%).
The move
St Paul and Oakland are 1,581 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,281 a month in St Paul to $1,979 a month in Oakland, up $698 a month (54%).
Median household income goes from $73,394 in St Paul to $101,600 in Oakland, up $28,206 (38%).
The crime index goes from 166 in St Paul to 434 in Oakland, up 268 points (161%).
Oakland, CA
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 Oakland and St Paul? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
35% cheaper
St Paul rent is 35% cheaper than Oakland
Oakland
$1,979/mo
St Paul
Winner$1,281/mo
Typical rent runs $1,281 a month in St Paul versus $1,979 in Oakland, so St Paul is 35% cheaper. That's roughly $698/month back in your pocket ($8,376/year). Over five years that's $41,880 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 Oakland, 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
38% higher
Oakland's median income is 38% higher than St Paul
Oakland
Winner$101,600
St Paul
$73,394
Median household income is $101,600 in Oakland versus $73,394 in St Paul, so typical pay runs 38% higher in Oakland (about $28,206 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, Oakland 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
62% lower crime
St Paul's crime index is 62% lower than Oakland
Oakland
434 (100 = avg)
St Paul
Winner166 (100 = avg)
St Paul's crime index is 166 versus 434 in Oakland (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 62% lower in St Paul. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, St Paul is the easier city. Oakland can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
72% more comfortable
Oakland weather is 72% more comfortable than St Paul
Oakland
Winner68°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 100/100
St Paul
50°F avg · 57°F highs · comfort 58/100
Oakland averages about 68°F (80°F highs); St Paul averages about 50°F (57°F highs). Oakland sits near 68°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. Oakland 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
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 38% higher ($101,600), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 68°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 35% 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 62% lower than Oakland (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
Crime and safety tilt toward St Paul: St Paul scores 45/100 versus 15/100 in Oakland, with typical rent at $1,281 versus $1,979. I would vet the exact ZIP in Oakland before trading 30 safety points for housing savings.
Oakland still pays more locally ($101,600 median income vs $73,394), which can offset the lease if your field pays Oakland rates.
Weather averages land near 68°F in Oakland and 50°F in St Paul.
St Paul clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Oakland deserves a serious look only when you already know the Oakland block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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