What salary do you need to live in Saint Paul, MN?
For a single person: about $68,500/year before taxes to live comfortably. That's the gross income whose MN-taxed take-home covers roughly $1,440 rent plus everyday essentials, with a 20% cushion for savings. Figures include 2025 federal tax, FICA, and an effective 5.3% Minnesota income tax.
Single person — est. essentials $3,667/mo
Tight
take-home covers $3,667/mo
$56,000/yr
Comfortable
take-home covers $4,400/mo
$68,500/yr
Thriving
take-home covers $5,501/mo
$88,500/yr
2-person household — est. essentials $4,980/mo
Tight
take-home covers $4,980/mo
$74,000/yr
Comfortable
take-home covers $5,976/mo
$90,000/yr
Thriving
take-home covers $7,470/mo
$114,000/yr
3-person household — est. essentials $6,016/mo
Tight
take-home covers $6,016/mo
$91,000/yr
Comfortable
take-home covers $7,219/mo
$110,000/yr
Thriving
take-home covers $9,024/mo
$140,500/yr
4-person household — est. essentials $6,930/mo
Tight
take-home covers $6,930/mo
$105,500/yr
Comfortable
take-home covers $8,316/mo
$127,500/yr
Thriving
take-home covers $10,395/mo
$166,000/yr
How we calculate this
Essentials = typical rent ($1,440) + a national non-housing baseline by household size ($2,450 for one person) + Minnesota's combined sales tax on the taxable share of that spending. We then solve for the gross salary whose after-tax take-home hits each tier. Local income taxes and property taxes aren't modeled — see the methodology.
Planning a move here?
Get notified when Saint Paul gets more affordable, plus relocation tips.
Unsubscribe anytime