City comparison
No. St Paul's crime index is 166 versus 223 in Washington, and its violent crime index is 160 versus 243, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
St Paul is cheaper. Median rent is $1,281 a month versus $1,954 in Washington.
The income gap between Washington and St Paul is significant: $109,870 median household versus $73,394. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,954 in Washington and $1,281 in St Paul.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. St Paul costs less and Washington 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
Washington and St Paul are 923 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,954 a month in Washington to $1,281 a month in St Paul, down $673 a month (34%).
Median household income goes from $109,870 in Washington to $73,394 in St Paul, down $36,476 (33%).
The crime index goes from 223 in Washington to 166 in St Paul, down 57 points (26%).
The move
St Paul and Washington are 923 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,281 a month in St Paul to $1,954 a month in Washington, up $673 a month (53%).
Median household income goes from $73,394 in St Paul to $109,870 in Washington, up $36,476 (50%).
The crime index goes from 166 in St Paul to 223 in Washington, up 57 points (34%).
Washington, DC
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 Washington and St Paul? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
34% cheaper
St Paul rent is 34% cheaper than Washington
Washington
$1,954/mo
St Paul
Winner$1,281/mo
Typical rent runs $1,281 a month in St Paul versus $1,954 in Washington, so St Paul is 34% cheaper. That's roughly $673/month back in your pocket ($8,076/year). Over five years that's $40,380 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 Washington, 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
50% higher
Washington's median income is 50% higher than St Paul
Washington
Winner$109,870
St Paul
$73,394
Median household income is $109,870 in Washington versus $73,394 in St Paul, so typical pay runs 50% higher in Washington (about $36,476 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, Washington 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
26% lower crime
St Paul's crime index is 26% lower than Washington
Washington
223 (100 = avg)
St Paul
Winner166 (100 = avg)
St Paul's crime index is 166 versus 223 in Washington (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 26% 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. Washington can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
29% more comfortable
Washington weather is 29% more comfortable than St Paul
Washington
Winner56°F avg · 63°F highs · comfort 75/100
St Paul
50°F avg · 57°F highs · comfort 58/100
Washington averages about 56°F (63°F highs); St Paul averages about 50°F (57°F highs). Washington averages around 56°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. St Paul averages around 50°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Washington scores 29% 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 50% higher ($109,870), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 56°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 34% 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 26% lower than Washington (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
Washington runs $1,954/month while St Paul sits at $1,281 — roughly 34% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Washington-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
St Paul rent at $1,281/month is still below Washington's $1,954, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 36/100 in Washington and 45/100 in St Paul.
St Paul is the default on housing cost at $1,281/month versus $1,954 in Washington; Washington stays in play when $109,870 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $673 lease gap.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Washington and St Paul, plus other cities in DC and MN.
