CostIndexUSA

Phoenix, AZ vs St. Cloud, MN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

AZ
Phoenix
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent
More AffordableMN
St. Cloud
87.6
overall index
$1,175/mo rent

St. Cloud is significantly cheaper than Phoenix — 15.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Phoenix, you would need $67,800 in St. Cloud. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing46.3%
Phoenix
121.2
St. Cloud
65.1
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Phoenix
95
St. Cloud
95.4
🚗 Transportation11.4%
Phoenix
109.2
St. Cloud
96.8
🏥 Healthcare11.3%
Phoenix
98.8
St. Cloud
87.6
Utilities4.9%
Phoenix
93.3
St. Cloud
88.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Phoenix to see what you'd need to earn in St. Cloud to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in St. Cloud, MN
$67,800
$12,200 less needed in St. Cloud

Formula: salary × (87.6 ÷ 103.3) = salary × 0.8480. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Phoenix, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

St. Cloud, MN

Median Home Price
$302,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,175
Housing Index
65.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Phoenix has 46.3% lower housing costs compared to St. Cloud.

Income & Job Market

Phoenix, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
1,608,139
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareReal EstateTourismFinance

St. Cloud, MN

Median Household Income
$74,000
Per Capita Income
$42,200
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
67,984
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingEducationRetailTechnology

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Phoenix, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

St. Cloud, MN
5.2×income-to-rent ratio

81% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.