The Real Salary Guide: What $100,000 Buys You in St. Paul, MN

You landed the six-figure job. The offer letter says $100,000. In most American cities, that’s a ticket to the middle class. In St. Paul, it’s a solid income, but the gap between the "sticker price" and your actual bank balance is wider than you think.

We crunched the numbers for 2026. No fluff, just the cold, hard math of your purchasing power in the Twin Cities.

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The Verification Test ($100,000 Analysis)

Let’s run the "Verification Test." We aren't looking at what you earn; we're looking at what you keep. This is the reality of a $100,000 salary in St. Paul.

The Breakdown:

• Gross Salary: $100,000
• Federal Tax: -$13,614
• FICA Tax: -$7,650
• State Tax (MN): -$4,500
• Local Tax: $0

The Bottom Line:

• Total Take Home Pay: $74,236
• Monthly Net Income: $6,186

The Analysis:
You lose 25.8% of your gross income to taxes before you pay a single bill. That $4,500 hit from the State of Minnesota is the pain point here. While you dodge St. Paul’s local income tax (which doesn't exist), Minnesota’s state tax is aggressive compared to tax-free states like Texas or Florida.

On a monthly basis, you are working roughly 12 days just to pay the government. You have 18 days of work per month left to build your life.

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Smart Budget Breakdown (50/30/20 Rule)

With a monthly net of $6,186, we apply the 50/30/20 rule. This is your blueprint for financial health.

Needs: $3,093 (50%)

The "Survival Number"

This bucket covers rent, utilities, insurance, and groceries. In St. Paul, $3,093 is a healthy allocation.

• Rent: A modern one-bedroom in a prime neighborhood like Highland Park or Cathedral Hill will run you ~$1,600 - $1,800.
• The Verdict: You are not rent-burdened. You have a buffer of roughly $1,300 after paying rent for utilities, insurance, and food. You can live comfortably without roommates.

Wants: $1,856 (30%)

The "Lifestyle Fund"

This is for dining out on Grand Ave, Vikings tickets, and whatever hobbies you keep.

• The Verdict: This is a significant amount of disposable income for St. Paul. You are not struggling to have fun. You can afford the "good life" without anxiety.

Savings: $1,237 (20%)

The "Wealth Engine"

This is the most critical number. $1,237 per month is $14,844 per year.

• The Verdict: This is a strong savings rate. If you invest this $1,237 monthly into an index fund (assuming a conservative 7% return), you are looking at over $180,000 in growth in just 7 years. This is where you transition from earning a salary to building actual wealth.

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St. Paul Taxes vs. The Competition

Is the Minnesota tax burden worth it? Let’s compare your take-home pay on a $100k salary against two major alternatives.

City	State Tax	Local Tax	Total Take Home (Annual)	Monthly Net
St. Paul, MN	$4,500	$0	$74,236	$6,186
Austin, TX	$0	$0	$78,736	$6,561
New York, NY	$5,100+	~$2,000	~$69,000	~$5,750

The Verdict:

• Vs. Austin: You pay a $4,500 "premium" in taxes to live in Minnesota. That money funds the roads, parks, and services. You take home ~$375 less per month in St. Paul than you would in Austin.
• Vs. NYC: St. Paul is a tax haven compared to New York City. You take home roughly $436 more per month in St. Paul than in NYC.

St. Paul sits in the middle: higher taxes than the South, but significantly lighter than the East Coast.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the income tax rate in St. Paul?
A: St. Paul itself does not levy a city income tax on residents. However, you are subject to a progressive Federal tax rate (varying by bracket) and a Minnesota State tax rate. On a $100,000 salary, your effective state tax rate is approximately 4.5%, adding to a total tax burden of roughly 26%.

Q: Is $100k a good salary in St. Paul?
A: Yes. While it doesn't make you "wealthy," a $74,236 take-home pay provides significant purchasing power. After allocating $3,093 for needs and $1,856 for wants, you still have $1,237 for savings—putting you well ahead of the average American saver.

Q: Does St. Paul have a local city tax?
A: No. Residents of St. Paul do not pay a specific city income tax. (Note: Some employees who work in certain Minnesota cities may pay a tax to that city, but St. Paul residents generally do not pay a local tax on their wages).

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• Methodology & Sources:
• Tax calculations are estimates based on 2026 IRS standard deductions (Single Filer) and 2026 Minnesota Department of Revenue tax brackets.
• Salary benchmarks derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) wage data for the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metropolitan area.
• Cost of Living adjustments calculated against State Comptroller regional price parity indexes.