Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from St. Paul to Phoenix
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Phoenix has higher median household income ($81,332 vs $73,394) and higher median gross rent ($1,582 vs $1,281) than St. Paul. Phoenix also has a longer commute (28 vs 23 minutes) and applies a 2.50% state income tax in the calculator, while St. Paul’s state tax is excluded per source boundaries. These trade-offs reflect differing cost-of-living and earnings dynamics.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Phoenix → St. PaulMoving from St. Paul to Phoenix
Median Rent Impact
+$301/mo
Moving to Phoenix costs ~$3,612 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+2.5%
~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.
Daily Commute Difference
+5 min / day
Difference of ~42 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
Adjust the assumptions. Every result updates instantly.
Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTSTP → PHX
54/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$5,972after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, St. Paul is about $3,612 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
St. Paul household income$73,394
Phoenix household income$81,332
St. Paul gross rent$1,281
Phoenix gross rent$1,582
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | St. Paul | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 307,284 | 1,642,323 |
| Median household income | $73,394 | $81,332 |
| Median gross rent | $1,281 | $1,582 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $294,500 | $420,700 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 2.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 23 minutes in St. Paul and 28 minutes in Phoenix. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income
- Median gross rent
- One-way commute time
- State income tax treatment
What each city wins
St. Paul
Mixed affordability. Watch rent vs income balance.
Phoenix
A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.
Frequently asked questions
Which city has higher housing costs relative to income?
Phoenix has higher median gross rent ($1,582) and higher income ($81,332) than St. Paul ($1,281 rent, $73,394 income), but the rent-to-income ratio is slightly higher in Phoenix at 23.3% vs 21.0% in St. Paul.
How do commute times compare between the two cities?
St. Paul has a shorter estimated one-way commute at 23 minutes, while Phoenix averages 28 minutes, based on 2024 ACS table B08303 weighted midpoints for workers aged 16 and over.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.