Key factors that impact the cost of your Oakland to St. Paul move
What to know before moving from Oakland to St. Paul
Moving from Oakland to St. Paul comes with exciting new opportunities โ but also higher living costs. Since St. Paul is generally more expensive than Oakland, 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:
Oakland | St. Paul | |
---|---|---|
Average rent cost | $2,200 | $1,350 |
Average home value | $736,156 | $278,221 |
Average income (per capita) | $94,389 | $63,483 |
Cost of living (single person) | $3,146 | $3,633 |
Cost of living (family of 4) | $8,584 | $4,290 |
Unemployment rate | 4.5% | 4.9% |
Sales tax | 10.25% | 9.88% |
State income tax | 13.3% | 9.85% |
- Rent prices in St. Paul are 39% lower than in Oakland, which means youโll have more money in your pocket each month.
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In terms of homeownership, youโll be able to get more for your money in St. Paul.
Home prices in St. Paul are 62.2% lower than in Oakland. - Income in St. Paul is 32.7% lower than in Oakland, so you could earn less 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 15.5% higher than in Oakland. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
- The cost of living for a family in St. Paul is 50.0% lower than in Oakland.
- The unemployment rate in St. Paul is 8.89% higher than in Oakland.
- Youโll spend less on retail and restaurants in St. Paul, since the cityโs sales taxes in St. Paul are 3.61% lower than in Oakland.
- One perk of moving to St. Paul is paying less in state income taxes, which are 25.94% lower than in Oakland.
To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,464.40 in St. Paul to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Oakland.
How life is different in Oakland vs. St. Paul
St. Paul | Oakland | |
---|---|---|
Population | 303,176 | 440,646 |
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score | 8 | 8 |
Walkability score | 60 | 75 |
Bike friendliness score | 64 | 65 |
Crime Index | 50.86 | 68.62 |
Safety Index | 49.14 | 31.38 |
Air Quality | Good | Good |
- St. Paul might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 31% less than Oakland.
- Your access to buses, shuttles, trams, or trains in St. Paul will be about the same as it currently is in Oakland. The cities share a similar public transportation score, which means their transit systems are comparable in terms of how connected they are, how often they provide service, and how close they are to jobs, housing, retail and food stores, and other important locations.
- St. Paul neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Oakland. Based on its score of 60 out of 100, St. Paul isnโt as walkable as Oakland, which has a score of 75 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
- St. Paul and Oakland are similarly bike-friendly based on their comparable ratings of 64 and 65 respectively. Bike-friendliness scores between 50 and 100 indicate varying levels of infrastructure to support cyclists, including bike lanes and roadway connectivity. Cities with scores under 50 are considered more car-dependent.
- St. Paul has a lower crime rate than Oakland based on scores of 50.86 and Oakland's 68.62, 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 Oakland, based on St. Paulโs safety index of 49.14 versus 31.38 for Oakland. 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 Oakland 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 Oakland 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
Now that you've made the move to Minnesota, itโs the perfect time to explore St. Paul. From local hotspots to hidden gems, thereโs something to enjoy for every lifestyle:
- Arts and culture: Youโll find museums and cultural hubs throughout St. Paul, such as 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 along with other locations, ideal for trails, cycling, or enjoying the fresh air.
- Sports: Experience the energy of a live game and back 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 Oakland to St. Paul?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Oakland to St. Paul are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Oakland are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Oakland to St. Paul?
With many people choosing to move from Oakland 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 Oakland to St. Paul take?
Moving from Oakland, CA to St. Paul, MN covers 1,976 miles and usually takes five to 16 days. Need to move faster? Some Oakland movers offer expedited options. If youโre not ready to receive your items, look into storage solutions in St. Paul.