ZIP Code · MN

ZIP 55118

Part of West Saint Paul, MN

Pop. 29,564·Dakota County·93rd most expensive ZIP in Minnesota

Median rent (all units)

$1,477/mo

Year-over-Year

+0.8%

Month-over-Month

-0.5%

vs US Median

-$455

Reported rents

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 55118 · $1,477

More affordable than 75% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

Rent check

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,130

1 BR

$1,270

2 BR

$1,550

3 BR

$2,050

4 BR+

$2,300

Research median

$1,550/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 55118 is 0.8% below its high of $1,489 in June 2026, at $1,477 as of September 2026.

Past year vs. the rest of Minnesota

Rent in ZIP 55118 changed +0.8% over the year to September 2026. Across the 102 Minnesota ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.4%.

Recent direction

Rent rose in 7 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($87,340) is $2,184 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 3-bedroom ($2,050); a 4-bedroom is $2,300.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 55106, 5 miles away, rents for 10% less ($1,326/mo), about $1,800 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 55118. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$17,724/yr

At $1,477/mo median

Location

CityWest Saint Paul

StateMN

CountyDakota County

Rent Market Meter

Balanced Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.

Based on rent-price momentum (+0.8% YoY, -0.5% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 55118 (West Saint Paul, MN) is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 45.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

29,564

Median income

$87,340

Median age

42.4

Renters

34.9%

Age distribution

19.1%

21.7%

23%

12.1%

24%

Under 1819.1%

18–3421.7%

35–5423%

55–6412.1%

65+24%

Gender

47.1%

52.9%

Male47.1%

Female52.9%

Race & ethnicity

74.5%

15.9%

White74.5%

Black4.5%

Hispanic15.9%

Asian1.5%

Other3.5%

Education (25+)

19.9%

28.9%

45.5%

No HS diploma5.7%

HS diploma19.9%

Some college28.9%

Bachelor's+45.5%

Housing tenure

65.1%

34.9%

Owner65.1%

Renter34.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 55118 in West Saint Paul, MN has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,346 → $1,477

up 9.7%

Income

$72,938 → $87,340

up 19.7%

Population

28,774 → 29,564

up 2.7%

Renter share

33.3% → 34.9%

+1.6 pts

Bachelor's+

44.1% → 45.5%

+1.4 pts

The median rent in ZIP 55118 in West Saint Paul, MN stood at $1,346 in 2023 and currently runs about $1,477, reflecting a 9.7% increase over the period. Household income in the area moved from $72,938 to $87,340 across the same window, up 19.7% versus 2021. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. The population has grown by 2.7% since 2021, moving from about 28,774 residents to roughly 29,564. Renters now make up 34.9% of households, compared with 33.3% five years ago. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in ZIP 55118 in West Saint Paul, MN look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

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About renting in ZIP 55118

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 55118 covers West Saint Paul, MN. The median rent here is $1,477/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,270/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,550/mo.

At 20% of local median household income ($87,340/yr), ZIP 55118 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 55118?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $59,000/year (about $28/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,477/mo in ZIP 55118. The local median household income is $87,340/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 55118?

Rent in ZIP 55118 has risen 0.8% over the past year as of September 2026. It sits 0.8% below its high of $1,489 in June 2026.

How does ZIP 55118 compare to other ZIPs in Minnesota?

ZIP 55118 is one of the more affordable among Minnesota ZIP codes for rent, ranking #93 of 123 at $1,477/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 55118 changed +0.8%, against a typical +3.4% across the 102 Minnesota ZIP codes Zillow tracks.