City Comparison · 2026
St Paul vs Los Angeles
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in St Paul = $160k in Los Angeles
Metric
St Paul
Los Angeles
COL Index
✓1.10
1.76
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,450/mo
$2,450/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,850/mo
$3,200/mo
State Income Tax
MN
CA
$100k Take-Home
$72,396
✓$73,198
$100k Effective Rate
27.6%
✓26.8%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$54,996
$43,798
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | St Paul MN | Los Angeles CA |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $46,628 $3,886/mo · 22.29% eff. | $48,276 $4,023/mo · 19.54% eff. |
| $100,000 | $72,396 $6,033/mo · 27.6% eff. | $73,198 $6,100/mo · 26.8% eff. |
| $150,000 | $103,055 $8,588/mo · 31.3% eff. | $103,090 $8,591/mo · 31.27% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St Paul or Los Angeles cheaper to live in?
St Paul has a cost-of-living index of 1.10 while Los Angeles is 1.76 (1.00 = US average). St Paul is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in St Paul is $1,450/month vs $2,450/month in Los Angeles.
How much more do you need to earn in Los Angeles vs St Paul?
$100k in St Paul = $160k in Los Angeles. Cost of living in Los Angeles is higher by 60%.
Which city has better after-tax income — St Paul or Los Angeles?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $72,396 in MN (St Paul) and $73,198 in CA (Los Angeles). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $54,996 in St Paul vs $43,798 in Los Angeles.
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