City comparison
No. St Paul's crime index is 166 versus 174 in Phoenix, and its violent crime index is 160 versus 216, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Paul is cheaper. Median rent is $1,281 a month versus $1,582 in Phoenix.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Phoenix and St Paul. Phoenix averages 81°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 $1,582 versus $1,281.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. St Paul costs less and Phoenix 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
Phoenix and St Paul are 1,284 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,582 a month in Phoenix to $1,281 a month in St Paul, down $301 a month (19%).
Median household income goes from $81,332 in Phoenix to $73,394 in St Paul, down $7,938 (10%).
The crime index goes from 174 in Phoenix to 166 in St Paul, down 8 points (5%).
The move
St Paul and Phoenix are 1,284 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,281 a month in St Paul to $1,582 a month in Phoenix, up $301 a month (23%).
Median household income goes from $73,394 in St Paul to $81,332 in Phoenix, up $7,938 (11%).
The crime index goes from 166 in St Paul to 174 in Phoenix, up 8 points (5%).
Phoenix, AZ
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 Phoenix and St Paul? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
19% cheaper
St Paul rent is 19% cheaper than Phoenix
Phoenix
$1,582/mo
St Paul
Winner$1,281/mo
Typical rent runs $1,281 a month in St Paul versus $1,582 in Phoenix, so St Paul is 19% 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 $3,612, 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 Phoenix.
Planning to buy in St Paul? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
11% higher
Phoenix's median income is 11% higher than St Paul
Phoenix
Winner$81,332
St Paul
$73,394
Median household income is $81,332 in Phoenix versus $73,394 in St Paul, so typical pay runs 11% higher in Phoenix (about $7,938 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, Phoenix 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
5% lower crime
St Paul's crime index is 5% lower than Phoenix
Phoenix
174 (100 = avg)
St Paul
Winner166 (100 = avg)
St Paul's crime index is 166 versus 174 in Phoenix (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 5% 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 Phoenix. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
67% more comfortable
Phoenix weather is 67% more comfortable than St Paul
Phoenix
Winner81°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 97/100
St Paul
50°F avg · 57°F highs · comfort 58/100
Phoenix averages about 81°F (87°F highs); St Paul averages about 50°F (57°F highs). Phoenix averages around 81°F. St Paul averages around 50°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Phoenix scores 67% 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 11% higher ($81,332), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 81°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 19% 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 5% lower than Phoenix (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
St Paul (50°F) and Phoenix (81°F) are not interchangeable on climate — about 31°F apart on typical temperatures. Rent ($1,281 vs $1,582) and pay ($73,394 vs $81,332) still matter, yet most movers regret ignoring the forecast row.
Phoenix still pays more locally ($81,332 median income vs $73,394), which can offset the lease if your field pays Phoenix rates.
Median income is $81,332 in Phoenix versus $73,394 in St Paul.
Pick St Paul when 50°F is the daily environment you want. Otherwise, Phoenix's case rests on 81°F you prefer and $1,582 rent you can sustain.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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