City Comparison

Asheville vs St George

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Asheville

North Carolina
108
Above Average
$360,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$48,534
Median Income

St George

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

The Verdict

1.8%

Living in Asheville costs 1.8% less than St George. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Asheville, you would need $76,389 in St George.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
120
Asheville
144
St George
Groceries
103
Asheville
100
St George
Utilities
95
Asheville
87
St George
Transportation
100
Asheville
104
St George
Healthcare
106
Asheville
96
St George

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Asheville has the same purchasing power as $76,389 in St George.

Conversely, $75,000 in St George equals $73,636 in Asheville.

Living in Asheville vs St George

Housing Costs

Asheville's housing index of 120 is lower St George's 144, translating to median home prices of $360,000 vs $550,000. The $190,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,348 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Asheville compared to $1,525/mo in St George, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Asheville and 100 in St George. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Asheville 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 95 in Asheville and 87 in St George. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Asheville vs $348 in St George. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Asheville and 96 in St George. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $48,534 in Asheville and $72,400 in St George. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $44,939 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 $1,132/month to housing in Asheville vs $1,689/month in St George. In Asheville, median rent of $1,500/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 Housing, where the gap is 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Asheville is 1.8% more affordable overall with an index of 108 vs 110.
A $75,000 salary in Asheville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $76,389 in St George, based on the cost of living difference.
Asheville's housing index is 120 with median homes at $360,000, while St George's is 144 with median homes at $550,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases