City comparison
No. St Paul's crime index is 166 versus 183 in Oklahoma City, and its violent crime index is 160 versus 197, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Oklahoma City is cheaper. Median rent is $1,130 a month versus $1,281 in St Paul.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Oklahoma City and St Paul. Oklahoma City averages 61°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 $1,130 versus $1,281.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Oklahoma City costs less and St Paul 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.
Weather is the one thing you cannot negotiate with. Visit St Paul in its coldest stretch before you sign anything.
The move
Oklahoma City and St Paul are 695 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City to $1,281 a month in St Paul, up $151 a month (13%).
Median household income goes from $68,656 in Oklahoma City to $73,394 in St Paul, up $4,738 (7%).
The crime index goes from 183 in Oklahoma City to 166 in St Paul, down 17 points (9%).
The move
St Paul and Oklahoma City are 695 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,281 a month in St Paul to $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City, down $151 a month (12%).
Median household income goes from $73,394 in St Paul to $68,656 in Oklahoma City, down $4,738 (6%).
The crime index goes from 166 in St Paul to 183 in Oklahoma City, up 17 points (10%).
Oklahoma City, OK
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 Oklahoma City and St Paul? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
12% cheaper
Oklahoma City rent is 12% cheaper than St Paul
Oklahoma City
Winner$1,130/mo
St Paul
$1,281/mo
Typical rent runs $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City versus $1,281 in St Paul, so Oklahoma City is 12% 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 $1,812, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Oklahoma City still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in St Paul.
Planning to buy in Oklahoma City? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
7% higher
St Paul's median income is 7% higher than Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
$68,656
St Paul
Winner$73,394
Median household income is $73,394 in St Paul versus $68,656 in Oklahoma City, so typical pay runs 7% higher in St Paul (about $4,738 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
9% lower crime
St Paul's crime index is 9% lower than Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
183 (100 = avg)
St Paul
Winner166 (100 = avg)
St Paul's crime index is 166 versus 183 in Oklahoma City (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 9% 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 Oklahoma City. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
53% more comfortable
Oklahoma City weather is 53% more comfortable than St Paul
Oklahoma City
Winner61°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 89/100
St Paul
50°F avg · 57°F highs · comfort 58/100
Oklahoma City averages about 61°F (69°F highs); St Paul averages about 50°F (57°F highs). Oklahoma City averages around 61°F. St Paul averages around 50°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Oklahoma City scores 53% 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
Oklahoma City is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 12% cheaper here at about $1,130 a month. Choose Oklahoma City if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Pick Oklahoma City if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (61°F) beat St Paul on this page's weather index by 53%. St Paul may pay more or cost less, but Oklahoma City 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 better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 7% 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 9% lower than Oklahoma City (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
Oklahoma City runs 61°F typical weather against 50°F in St Paul (comfort scores 89 vs 58). Housing is $1,130/month versus $1,281/month, so this decision is lifestyle-weighted as much as financial.
With only $151 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Safety scores read 42/100 in Oklahoma City and 45/100 in St Paul.
St Paul clears the bar on climate in this dataset. Oklahoma City deserves a serious look only when you would rather tolerate 61°F than optimize for St Paul's comfort score.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Oklahoma City and St Paul, plus other cities in OK and MN.
