Studio Apartment Rent in Saint Paul, MN
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Saint Paul, Minnesota as of July 2026. That's +21% lower than the citywide median of $1,480 and +9% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Saint Paul
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Saint Paul
Compare Saint Paul's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Minnesota
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winona | $700 |
| 2 | Moorhead | $710 |
| 3 | Austin | $720 |
| 4 | Owatonna | $730 |
| 5 | Bemidji | $800 |
| 6 | Duluth | $848 |
| 7 | Waite Park | $890 |
| 8 | Saint Cloud | $940 |
| 9 | Rochester | $1,010 |
| 10 | Mankato | $1,030 |
| 11 | Anoka | $1,050 |
| 12 | Northfield | $1,060 |
| 13 | South Saint Paul | $1,060 |
| 14 | Saint Michael | $1,080 |
| 15 | Columbia Heights | $1,090 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Minnesota
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Woodbury | $1,650 |
| 2 | Maple Grove | $1,600 |
| 3 | Eden Prairie | $1,570 |
| 4 | Lakeville | $1,550 |
| 5 | Cottage Grove | $1,540 |
| 6 | Edina | $1,520 |
| 7 | Blaine | $1,510 |
| 8 | Plymouth | $1,495 |
| 9 | Brooklyn Park | $1,495 |
| 10 | Savage | $1,470 |
| 11 | Rosemount | $1,470 |
| 12 | Minnetonka | $1,450 |
| 13 | Robbinsdale | $1,427 |
| 14 | Saint Louis Park | $1,385 |
| 15 | Vadnais Heights | $1,380 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 4 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Saint Paul.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Saint Paul |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Saint Paul, MN | 4.1 mi | $1,120 | $-48 (-4%) |
| Roseville, MN | 5 mi | $1,180 | +$12 (+1%) |
| Little Canada, MN | 5.4 mi | $1,342 | +$174 (+15%) |
| South Saint Paul, MN | 6.6 mi | $1,060 | $-108 (-9%) |
| Maplewood, MN | 7.3 mi | $1,150 | $-18 (-2%) |
| Shoreview, MN | 9.2 mi | $1,280 | +$112 (+10%) |
| Vadnais Heights, MN | 9.4 mi | $1,380 | +$212 (+18%) |
| Inver Grove Heights, MN | 9.6 mi | $1,230 | +$62 (+5%) |
| Eagan, MN | 9.8 mi | $1,320 | +$152 (+13%) |
| New Brighton, MN | 10.5 mi | $1,100 | $-68 (-6%) |
| Oakdale, MN | 10.5 mi | $1,180 | +$12 (+1%) |
| Minneapolis, MN | 10.8 mi | $1,281 | +$113 (+10%) |
Studio rent in Saint Paul — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Saint Paul?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Saint Paul, Minnesota is $1,168 per month. This is +21% below the citywide median of $1,480.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Saint Paul?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $46,720 ($3,893/month gross), which works out to roughly $22.46/hour at a full-time job.
Is Saint Paul expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Saint Paul's studio median of $1,168 is +9% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 40th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Saint Paul rank for studio rent in Minnesota?
Among the 63 cities in Minnesota with studio data, Saint Paul ranks #25 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Saint Paul?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include West Saint Paul ($1,120), South Saint Paul ($1,060), Maplewood ($1,150).