True Cost of Renting in Saint Paul, MN

Saint Paul is Minnesota's state capital and Minneapolis's twin — adjacent but distinct. The Green Line light rail connects the two downtown cores in 50 minutes. Saint Paul tends to run 10–15% below Minneapolis rents while offering similar quality of life and direct state government employment. Summit Avenue's historic mansions define the neighborhood character.

Neighborhoods & Average Rents

Summit-University / Grand Avenue

Studio:
$950/mo
1 Bed:
$1,200/mo
2 Bed:
$1,700/mo

Saint Paul's most prestigious address along Grand Avenue and Summit Avenue; Victorian mansions and apartment buildings near Macalester College and St Thomas University. Walkable retail on Grand Avenue. Xcel Energy electric. Metro Transit bus access.

Lowertown

Studio:
$1,000/mo
1 Bed:
$1,300/mo
2 Bed:
$1,800/mo

Saint Paul's revitalized warehouse district adjacent to Union Depot (Green Line terminal); arts lofts and new construction apartments. Farmers Market on weekends. Green Line to Minneapolis in 50 minutes. Most urban and transit-accessible Saint Paul neighborhood.

Como Park

Studio:
$800/mo
1 Bed:
$1,050/mo
2 Bed:
$1,450/mo

North Saint Paul neighborhood adjacent to Como Lake and the free Como Zoo; craftsman-era apartment buildings and single-family rentals. Strong community identity. Metro Transit bus access. One of Saint Paul's most livable and affordable neighborhoods.

Utility Providers

Electric
Xcel Energy (Northern States Power)
Water
Saint Paul Regional Water Services
Internet
Comcast Xfinity, CenturyLink/Quantum Fiber, Metronet

Commute & Transportation

The Green Line light rail runs from Union Depot in Lowertown through Downtown Saint Paul, Midway, and into Downtown Minneapolis and the University of Minnesota, connecting both downtowns in 50 minutes for $2.50. The Capitol Complex (state government employment) is walkable from Downtown Saint Paul. I-94 connects Saint Paul and Minneapolis by car in 15–25 minutes depending on traffic. MSP Airport is 10 miles south via I-35E and I-494.

Rental Market Overview

Saint Paul typically runs 10–15% below Minneapolis rents for comparable units — a meaningful saving if your employer is accessible via the Green Line or you work for state government. Xcel Energy serves both cities. Saint Paul's rent stabilization ordinance (3% cap, similar to Minneapolis) applies to older buildings. The city's walkable neighborhoods along Grand Avenue and Summit Avenue offer genuine quality of life at lower prices than comparable Minneapolis neighborhoods.

Data last updated: 2026-04

Compare Apartments in Saint Paul

Enter your rental options below to see the true all-in monthly cost.

Renting in Saint Paul: Common Questions

What is the average rent in Saint Paul?
One-bedroom apartments in Saint Paul range from $1,050/month in Como Park to $1,300/month in Lowertown. Two-bedroom units range from $1,450 to $1,800/month. These are base rents — add fees, utilities, and amenity costs to get the true all-in monthly cost.
What utilities do I need to set up in Saint Paul?
In Saint Paul, electricity is provided by Xcel Energy (Northern States Power), water by Saint Paul Regional Water Services, and common internet providers include Comcast Xfinity, CenturyLink/Quantum Fiber, Metronet. Ask the leasing office for the specific unit's average monthly bill rather than a city-wide figure — utility costs vary more by building age and insulation than by location within Saint Paul.
What neighborhoods are affordable in Saint Paul?
Como Park is the most affordable of the 3 Saint Paul neighborhoods covered here, at $1,050/month for a one-bedroom — $250 less than Lowertown, roughly a 19% gap. That swing is often bigger than any fee or amenity difference between two buildings in the same neighborhood, which is why comparing across neighborhoods matters as much as comparing within one.
Is Saint Paul expensive to rent in?
Across the 3 neighborhoods covered here, the average one-bedroom in Saint Paul runs about $1,183/month before fees, utilities, and amenities are added — and those add-ons are exactly what a bare average hides. Saint Paul typically runs 10–15% below Minneapolis rents for comparable units — a meaningful saving if your employer is accessible via the Green Line or you work for state government. Run the specific units you are considering through RentCompare to see the true all-in monthly cost rather than relying on an area average.

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