City comparison
Yes. Tampa's crime index is 93 versus 166 in St Paul, and its violent crime index is 112 versus 160, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Paul is cheaper. Median rent is $1,281 a month versus $1,701 in Tampa.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Tampa and St Paul. Tampa averages 75°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 $1,701 versus $1,281.
Tampa 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 Tampa 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
Tampa and St Paul are 1,312 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,701 a month in Tampa to $1,281 a month in St Paul, down $420 a month (25%).
Median household income goes from $75,475 in Tampa to $73,394 in St Paul, down $2,081 (3%).
The crime index goes from 93 in Tampa to 166 in St Paul, up 73 points (78%).
The move
St Paul and Tampa are 1,312 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,281 a month in St Paul to $1,701 a month in Tampa, up $420 a month (33%).
Median household income goes from $73,394 in St Paul to $75,475 in Tampa, up $2,081 (3%).
The crime index goes from 166 in St Paul to 93 in Tampa, down 73 points (44%).
Tampa, FL
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 Tampa and St Paul? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
25% cheaper
St Paul rent is 25% cheaper than Tampa
Tampa
$1,701/mo
St Paul
Winner$1,281/mo
Typical rent runs $1,281 a month in St Paul versus $1,701 in Tampa, so St Paul is 25% cheaper. That's roughly $420/month back in your pocket ($5,040/year). Over five years that's $25,200 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 Tampa, 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 Tampa? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
3% higher
Tampa's median income is 3% higher than St Paul
Tampa
Winner$75,475
St Paul
$73,394
Median household income is $75,475 in Tampa versus $73,394 in St Paul, so typical pay runs 3% higher in Tampa (about $2,081 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
44% lower crime
Tampa's crime index is 44% lower than St Paul
Tampa
Winner93 (100 = avg)
St Paul
166 (100 = avg)
Tampa's crime index is 93 versus 166 in St Paul (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 44% lower in Tampa. 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, Tampa is the easier city. St Paul can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
72% more comfortable
Tampa weather is 72% more comfortable than St Paul
Tampa
Winner75°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
St Paul
50°F avg · 57°F highs · comfort 58/100
Tampa averages about 75°F (83°F highs); St Paul averages about 50°F (57°F highs). Tampa sits near 75°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. Tampa 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 3% higher ($75,475), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 75°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Tampa is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 44% lower than St Paul (93 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.
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 25% 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.
Bottom line
Weather separates these metros: $1,701/month rent in Tampa at 75°F versus $1,281 in St Paul at 50°F. Income runs $75,475 vs $73,394, but the daily feel of the move is the temperature gap.
Tampa still pays more locally ($75,475 median income vs $73,394), which can offset the lease if your field pays Tampa rates.
Typical rent stays $1,281 in St Paul and $1,701 in Tampa.
Most movers who prioritize climate land in Tampa; St Paul only makes sense when 50°F matches how you want to live year-round.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Tampa and St Paul, plus other cities in FL and MN.
