Key factors that impact the cost of your Birmingham to St. Paul move
What to know before moving from Birmingham to St. Paul
Moving from Birmingham to St. Paul comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since St. Paul is generally more expensive than Birmingham, itโs important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.
Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:
Birmingham | St. Paul | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $1,250 | $1,350 |
Average home value | $125,988 | $278,221 |
Average income (per capita) | $39,403 | $63,483 |
Cost of living (single person) | $2,697 | $3,633 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $6,727 | $4,290 |
Unemployment rate | 5.6% | 4.9% |
Sales tax | 10.0% | 9.88% |
State income tax | 5.0% | 9.85% |
- Rent prices in St. Paul are 8% higher than in Birmingham, which means youโll have less money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in Birmingham.
Home prices in St. Paul are 120.8% higher than in Birmingham. - Income in St. Paul is 61.1% higher than in Birmingham, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in St. Paul include Siemens, ACS Group, and 3M.
- Be sure to budget for higher bills in St. Paul, since the cost of living for a single person in St. Paul is 34.7% higher than in Birmingham. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- The cost of living for a family in St. Paul is 36.2% lower than in Birmingham.
- The unemployment rate in St. Paul is 12.50% lower than in Birmingham.
- Youโll spend less on retail and restaurants in St. Paul, since the cityโs sales taxes in St. Paul are 1.20% lower than in Birmingham.
- State income taxes in St. Paul are 97.00% higher than in Birmingham.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,041.16 in St. Paul to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Birmingham.
How life is different in Birmingham vs. St. Paul
St. Paul | Birmingham | |
---|---|---|
Population | 303,176 | 196,644 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 8 | 0 |
Walkability score | 60 | 33 |
Bike friendliness score | 64 | 31 |
Crime Index | 50.86 | 61.64 |
Safety Index | 49.14 | 38.36 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- The population of St. Paul is about 54% greater than Birmingham, so you may find more to see and do in your new surroundings. Of course, with more people can also come increased competition for jobs and housing.
- St. Paul offers better access to buses and trains than Birmingham, based on public transportation ratings. St. Paul has a transit score of 8 out of 10 compared to 0 in Birmingham. The higher the score, the more public transportation pickup and dropoff locations a city provides.
- Living in St. Paul means youโll likely be within closer walking distance to restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment than you are in Birmingham. St. Paul is considered more walkable than Birmingham, with a score of 60 out of 100 versus 33 out of 100 in Birmingham. A cityโs walkability score indicates how pedestrian-friendly it is in terms of proximity of neighborhoods to amenities.
- If cycling is your thing, St. Paul is considered more bike-friendly than Birmingham in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. St. Paul has a bike-friendliness score of 64 out of 100, while Birmingham is rated as 31 out of 100.
- St. Paul has a lower crime rate than Birmingham based on scores of 50.86 and Birmingham's 61.64, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
- You might find more confidence in your overall safety in St. Paul than in Birmingham, based on St. Paulโs safety index of 49.14 versus 38.36 for Birmingham. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
- The air quality in St. Paul and Birmingham is generally the same (Good). Cities with good to moderate ratings have clean or acceptable air quality, with the possibility of small pollutants affecting people with certain health conditions like asthma. Anything beyond the moderate rate means increased impact on residents.
Other things to consider for your Birmingham vs. St. Paul move
- Weather: St. Paul has frigid and snowy winters, while summers are warm to hot and humid. St. Paul experiences a full range of precipitation and related weather events, including snow, sleet, ice, rain, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and fog
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: To operate legally within the state, Minnesota household goods movers must have a current permit from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Before being granted operating authority, each moving company must file a public tariff, provide proof of insurance and submit a Certificate of Compliance to MnDOT. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a Minnesota moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving permits: Minnesota does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to St. Paul. Get started here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.In Minnesota, opt for the budget-friendly Released Value Protection provided by movers at no extra charge. While economical, it offers minimal coverage at 60 cents per pound per article. For full value coverage of your items, consult with your chosen moving company for alternatives or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.
Where to live in St. Paul
Now that you've decided to make the move to "Pigs Eye", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in St. Paul.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Downtown
- St. Anthony Park
- Summit Hill
- Summit-University
- Union Park
Best neighborhoods for families
- Macalester-Groveland
- Summit Hill
- Highland
- Union Park
- St. Anthony Park
Things to do in St. Paul
After settling into your new Minnesota home, youโll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, St. Paul has lots to offer, no matter what youโre interested in:
- Arts and culture: St. Paul is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Science Museum of Minnesota, Minnesota History Center, Historic Fort Snelling, James J. Hill House, and Minnesota Children's Museum.
- Outdoor recreation: The cityโs Rice Park, Mears Park, Harriet Island Regional Park, and Indian Mounds Regional Park โ among other sites โ are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Minnesota Wild (NHL), St. Paul Saints (MiLB), St. Paul Twin Stars (NPSL), or Minnesota United FC (MLS) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Birmingham to St. Paul?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Birmingham to St. Paul are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Birmingham are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Birmingham to St. Paul?
With many people choosing to move from Birmingham to St. Paul in spring or fall, winter moves often come with better rates. Take a look at our moving discounts guide to find out how to save.
How long does a move from Birmingham to St. Paul take?
Moving from Birmingham, AL to St. Paul, MN covers 1,068 miles and usually takes two to eight days. Need to move faster? Some Birmingham movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in St. Paul.