Columbia, MO vs St. Cloud, MN: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, St. Cloud, MN is 2.0% less expensive than Columbia, MO (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Columbia works out to about $73,500 in St. Cloud, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is everyday costs rather than housing: goods are 1.3% higher and other services 0.9% lower in St. Cloud, while housing is 6.1% lower.
- Typical asking rent is $1,224 a month in St. Cloud and $1,457 in Columbia, $2,796 a year less in St. Cloud (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $311,000 in St. Cloud and $319,000 in Columbia.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (2.4%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Everyday costs, not housing, drive the gap between Columbia and St. Cloud
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Columbia, MO
- St. Cloud, MN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Columbia, MO | St. Cloud, MN | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 89.4 | 87.6 |
| Goods | 94.2 | 95.4 |
| Housing (rents) | 69.2 | 65.1 |
| Utilities | 86.0 | 88.7 |
| Other services | 93.0 | 92.2 |
| Category | Columbia | St. Cloud | St. Cloud vs Columbia |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 89.4 | 87.6 | −2.0% |
| Goods | 94.2 | 95.4 | +1.3% |
| Housing (rents) | 69.2 | 65.1 | −6.1% |
| Utilities | 86.0 | 88.7 | +3.1% |
| Other services | 93.0 | 92.2 | −0.9% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,457 | $1,224 | −16.0% |
| Typical home value | $319,000 | $311,000 | −2.5% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Columbia | $75,000 | $73,500 | −2.0% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Columbia and St. Cloud has narrowed since 2008: 3.8 points then, 1.8 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Columbia, MO
- St. Cloud, MN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Columbia, MO | St. Cloud, MN | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 93.5 | 97.3 |
| 2009 | 93.5 | 92.7 |
| 2010 | 93.0 | 94.8 |
| 2011 | 91.9 | 93.8 |
| 2012 | 93.4 | 95.2 |
| 2013 | 92.5 | 95.3 |
| 2014 | 92.9 | 94.5 |
| 2015 | 91.5 | 93.4 |
| 2016 | 91.2 | 93.7 |
| 2017 | 91.1 | 90.7 |
| 2018 | 91.6 | 93.0 |
| 2019 | 92.4 | 94.6 |
| 2020 | 91.1 | 91.5 |
| 2021 | 89.5 | 87.5 |
| 2022 | 87.8 | 91.7 |
| 2023 | 89.1 | 89.3 |
| 2024 | 89.4 | 87.6 |
Goods
- Columbia, MO
- St. Cloud, MN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Columbia, MO | St. Cloud, MN | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 95.3 | 99.3 |
| 2009 | 95.9 | 96.8 |
| 2010 | 96.3 | 96.1 |
| 2011 | 96.1 | 95.2 |
| 2012 | 97.0 | 96.6 |
| 2013 | 96.9 | 96.9 |
| 2014 | 98.0 | 98.6 |
| 2015 | 97.7 | 98.2 |
| 2016 | 96.9 | 97.4 |
| 2017 | 95.4 | 95.4 |
| 2018 | 95.1 | 93.1 |
| 2019 | 97.1 | 96.5 |
| 2020 | 95.8 | 96.3 |
| 2021 | 94.1 | 94.4 |
| 2022 | 93.7 | 94.6 |
| 2023 | 96.6 | 97.0 |
| 2024 | 94.2 | 95.4 |
Housing (rents)
- Columbia, MO
- St. Cloud, MN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Columbia, MO | St. Cloud, MN | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 78.7 | 87.8 |
| 2009 | 76.2 | 70.0 |
| 2010 | 74.3 | 81.8 |
| 2011 | 73.2 | 82.2 |
| 2012 | 78.0 | 87.8 |
| 2013 | 72.3 | 84.3 |
| 2014 | 76.2 | 82.9 |
| 2015 | 73.2 | 83.0 |
| 2016 | 68.4 | 80.9 |
| 2017 | 73.9 | 70.2 |
| 2018 | 71.4 | 81.7 |
| 2019 | 75.0 | 87.5 |
| 2020 | 68.3 | 71.2 |
| 2021 | 64.5 | 58.1 |
| 2022 | 64.9 | 89.5 |
| 2023 | 66.0 | 75.0 |
| 2024 | 69.2 | 65.1 |
Utilities
- Columbia, MO
- St. Cloud, MN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Columbia, MO | St. Cloud, MN | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 83.5 | 88.5 |
| 2009 | 86.8 | 89.4 |
| 2010 | 85.2 | 89.3 |
| 2011 | 89.1 | 90.8 |
| 2012 | 89.9 | 89.3 |
| 2013 | 90.0 | 91.5 |
| 2014 | 83.6 | 89.1 |
| 2015 | 86.6 | 86.8 |
| 2016 | 83.9 | 85.5 |
| 2017 | 89.4 | 90.1 |
| 2018 | 94.0 | 98.3 |
| 2019 | 93.3 | 95.6 |
| 2020 | 94.2 | 94.6 |
| 2021 | 91.9 | 98.1 |
| 2022 | 89.9 | 96.8 |
| 2023 | 88.8 | 89.4 |
| 2024 | 86.0 | 88.7 |
Other services
- Columbia, MO
- St. Cloud, MN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Columbia, MO | St. Cloud, MN | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.6 | 100.1 |
| 2009 | 98.5 | 99.6 |
| 2010 | 98.0 | 99.0 |
| 2011 | 95.4 | 97.0 |
| 2012 | 96.4 | 97.0 |
| 2013 | 97.0 | 98.0 |
| 2014 | 96.0 | 96.4 |
| 2015 | 94.3 | 94.3 |
| 2016 | 95.3 | 96.1 |
| 2017 | 94.1 | 95.1 |
| 2018 | 96.3 | 96.4 |
| 2019 | 96.2 | 95.8 |
| 2020 | 96.4 | 95.6 |
| 2021 | 95.2 | 95.0 |
| 2022 | 91.8 | 90.5 |
| 2023 | 92.3 | 90.8 |
| 2024 | 93.0 | 92.2 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,224 in St. Cloud vs $1,457 in Columbia
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Columbia, MO
- St. Cloud, MN
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Columbia, MO | St. Cloud, MN | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $823 | $725 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $806 | $723 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $807 | $729 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $821 | $729 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $817 | $759 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $821 | $758 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $812 | $767 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $822 | $768 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $844 | $780 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $837 | $796 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $822 | $788 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $832 | $794 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $856 | $825 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $857 | $817 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $843 | $835 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $860 | $863 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $880 | $849 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $879 | $880 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $873 | $871 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $878 | $880 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $905 | $881 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $899 | $885 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $917 | $921 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $920 | $926 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $932 | $925 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $967 | $947 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $998 | $961 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,043 | $1,010 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,068 | $1,059 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,094 | $1,067 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,129 | $1,065 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,143 | $1,062 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,173 | $1,076 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,198 | $1,124 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,211 | $1,090 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,227 | $1,094 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,261 | $1,104 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,293 | $1,124 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,314 | $1,132 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,324 | $1,141 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,363 | $1,172 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,373 | $1,160 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,380 | $1,162 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,395 | $1,162 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,451 | $1,193 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,430 | $1,212 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,457 | $1,224 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $311,000 in St. Cloud vs $319,000 in Columbia
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Columbia, MO
- St. Cloud, MN
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Columbia, MO | St. Cloud, MN | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $168K | $160K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $169K | $163K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $171K | $166K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $172K | $167K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $173K | $168K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $174K | $171K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $176K | $174K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $179K | $177K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $183K | $179K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $186K | $183K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $187K | $185K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $187K | $186K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $188K | $188K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $189K | $190K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $190K | $194K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $191K | $196K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $193K | $198K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $196K | $201K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $198K | $203K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $202K | $205K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $204K | $209K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $206K | $212K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $212K | $217K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $221K | $223K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $227K | $229K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $239K | $241K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $248K | $250K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $253K | $254K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $265K | $264K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $279K | $276K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $281K | $275K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $280K | $273K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $279K | $275K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $286K | $278K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $289K | $282K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $288K | $284K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $291K | $287K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $295K | $289K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $299K | $291K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $303K | $296K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $308K | $299K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $308K | $301K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $310K | $304K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $313K | $307K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $315K | $310K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $317K | $310K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $319K | $311K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.