City Comparison

Ann Arbor vs St George

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Ann Arbor

Michigan
114
Above Average
$400,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$65,024
Median Income

St George

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

The Verdict

3.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 3.6%, with St George being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Ann Arbor has equivalent purchasing power to $72,368 in St George.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
135
Ann Arbor
144
St George
Groceries
101
Ann Arbor
100
St George
Utilities
99
Ann Arbor
87
St George
Transportation
101
Ann Arbor
104
St George
Healthcare
101
Ann Arbor
96
St George

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Ann Arbor has the same purchasing power as $72,368 in St George.

Conversely, $75,000 in St George equals $77,727 in Ann Arbor.

Living in Ann Arbor vs St George

Housing Costs

Ann Arbor's housing index of 135 is lower St George's 144, translating to median home prices of $400,000 vs $550,000. The $150,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,756 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Ann Arbor compared to $1,525/mo in St George, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Ann Arbor and 100 in St George. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Ann Arbor vs $475/month in St George. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Ann Arbor and 87 in St George. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Ann Arbor vs $348 in St George. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 101 in Ann Arbor 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 $65,024 in Ann Arbor and $72,400 in St George. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,039 and $65,818 respectively. St George residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,517/month to housing in Ann Arbor vs $1,689/month in St George. In Ann Arbor, median rent of $1,600/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In St George, median rent of $1,525/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 12 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

St George is 3.6% more affordable overall with an index of 110 vs 114.
A $75,000 salary in Ann Arbor has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $72,368 in St George, based on the cost of living difference.
Ann Arbor's housing index is 135 with median homes at $400,000, while St George's is 144 with median homes at $550,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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