City Comparison

Abilene vs St George

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Abilene

Texas
80
Very Affordable
$179,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$62,600
Median Income

St George

Utah
110
Above Average
$550,000
Median Home
$1,525/mo
Median Rent
$72,400
Median Income

The Verdict

27.3%

Living in Abilene costs 27.3% less than St George. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Abilene, you would need $103,125 in St George.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
58
Abilene
144
St George
Groceries
91
Abilene
100
St George
Utilities
97
Abilene
87
St George
Transportation
89
Abilene
104
St George
Healthcare
96
Abilene
96
St George

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Abilene has the same purchasing power as $103,125 in St George.

Conversely, $75,000 in St George equals $54,545 in Abilene.

Living in Abilene vs St George

Housing Costs

Abilene's housing index of 58 is lower St George's 144, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $550,000. The $371,000 difference in home prices means roughly $24,120 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $1,525/mo in St George, a monthly difference of $575.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 100 in St George. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $475/month in St George. Abilene offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Abilene and 87 in St George. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $348 in St George. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Abilene and 96 in St George. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $62,600 in Abilene and $72,400 in St George. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $65,818 respectively. Abilene residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Abilene vs $1,689/month in St George. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In St George, median rent of $1,525/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 86 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Abilene is 27.3% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 110.
A $75,000 salary in Abilene has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $103,125 in St George, based on the cost of living difference.
Abilene's housing index is 58 with median homes at $179,000, while St George's is 144 with median homes at $550,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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