City comparison
No. Glendale's crime index is 144 versus 166 in St Paul, and its violent crime index is 135 versus 160, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Paul is cheaper. Median rent is $1,281 a month versus $1,528 in Glendale.
Climate is the sharpest divide between St Paul and Glendale. St Paul averages 50°F while Glendale averages 81°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,281 versus $1,528.
Glendale is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. St Paul makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Glendale is the stronger move.
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
St Paul and Glendale are 1,285 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,281 a month in St Paul to $1,528 a month in Glendale, up $247 a month (19%).
Median household income goes from $73,394 in St Paul to $73,530 in Glendale, up $136 (under 1%).
The crime index goes from 166 in St Paul to 144 in Glendale, down 22 points (13%).
The move
Glendale and St Paul are 1,285 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,528 a month in Glendale to $1,281 a month in St Paul, down $247 a month (16%).
Median household income goes from $73,530 in Glendale to $73,394 in St Paul, down $136 (under 1%).
The crime index goes from 144 in Glendale to 166 in St Paul, up 22 points (15%).
St Paul, MN
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Glendale, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing St Paul and Glendale? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
16% cheaper
St Paul rent is 16% cheaper than Glendale
St Paul
Winner$1,281/mo
Glendale
$1,528/mo
Typical rent runs $1,281 a month in St Paul versus $1,528 in Glendale, so St Paul is 16% 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 $2,964, 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 Glendale.
Planning to buy in Glendale? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
1% higher
Glendale's median income is 1% higher than St Paul
St Paul
$73,394
Glendale
Winner$73,530
Median household income is $73,530 in Glendale versus $73,394 in St Paul, so typical pay runs 1% higher in Glendale (about $136 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
13% lower crime
Glendale's crime index is 13% lower than St Paul
St Paul
166 (100 = avg)
Glendale
Winner144 (100 = avg)
Glendale's crime index is 144 versus 166 in St Paul (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 13% lower in Glendale. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Glendale, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in St Paul. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
67% more comfortable
Glendale weather is 67% more comfortable than St Paul
St Paul
50°F avg · 57°F highs · comfort 58/100
Glendale
Winner81°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 97/100
St Paul averages about 50°F (57°F highs); Glendale averages about 81°F (87°F highs). St Paul averages around 50°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Glendale averages around 81°F. Glendale 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
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to St Paul
St Paul is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 16% 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.
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 1% higher ($73,530), 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.
Glendale is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 13% lower than St Paul (144 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, Glendale is the warmer market (81°F) and St Paul the cooler (50°F). Typical leases run $1,528 and $1,281; choose the climate you will tolerate year-round, not just on a visit weekend.
Glendale still pays more locally ($73,530 median income vs $73,394), which can offset the lease if your field pays Glendale rates.
Safety scores read 45/100 in St Paul and 49/100 in Glendale.
Glendale wins on climate (81°F vs 50°F); St Paul is the better fit if $1,281 rent and $73,394 pay matter more than daily weather.
Common questions
Ready to move to Glendale?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Glendale when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for St Paul and Glendale, plus other cities in MN and AZ.
