Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas
A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,300 in St. Paul, MN versus $1,300 in Salt Lake City, UT. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.
Median household income is $73,055 in St. Paul, MN and $74,925 in Salt Lake City, UT — about 2% higher in Salt Lake City, UT. Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.
Rent
Buying a Home
Income
People & Lifestyle
Crime (per 100k/yr)
FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.
Climate
Gas
Area: Minnesota vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).
Utilities
Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.
Groceries
Average prices — Midwest vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.
State Taxes
St. Paul vs Salt Lake City — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in St. Paul or Salt Lake City?
- They're close. St. Paul, MN runs about $1,300 a month and Salt Lake City, UT about $1,300 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in St. Paul than in Salt Lake City?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in St. Paul versus $47,000 in Salt Lake City.
- Which has lower taxes, St. Paul or Salt Lake City?
- St. Paul is taxed under Minnesota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax); Salt Lake City under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).