CostIndexUSA

Richmond, VA vs St. Paul, MN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableVA
Richmond
97.9
overall index
$1,650/mo rent
MN
St. Paul
104.8
overall index
$1,675/mo rent

Richmond is moderately cheaper than St. Paul — 7.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Richmond, you would need $85,600 in St. Paul. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+12.8%
Richmond
99.1
St. Paul
111.8
🛒 Groceries+6.5%
Richmond
96.8
St. Paul
103.1
🚗 Transportation+5.9%
Richmond
103.5
St. Paul
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+5.9%
Richmond
93.7
St. Paul
99.2
Utilities+4.8%
Richmond
89.2
St. Paul
93.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in St. Paul, MN
$85,600
$5,600 more needed in St. Paul

Formula: salary × (104.8 ÷ 97.9) = salary × 1.0705. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Richmond, VA

Median Home Price
$381,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,650
Housing Index
99.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.2×

St. Paul, MN

Median Home Price
$374,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,675
Housing Index
111.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.6×

St. Paul has 12.8% higher housing costs compared to Richmond.

Income & Job Market

Richmond, VA

Median Household Income
$84,300
Per Capita Income
$48,100
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
226,610
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareGovernmentManufacturingEducation

St. Paul, MN

Median Household Income
$95,100
Per Capita Income
$54,200
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
311,527
Top Industries
HealthcareFinanceEducationGovernmentManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

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

Richmond, VA
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

St. Paul, MN
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.