City Comparison

Athens vs St George

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Athens

Georgia
88
Below Average
$307,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$56,700
Median Income

St George

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

The Verdict

20.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 20.0%, with Athens being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Athens has equivalent purchasing power to $93,750 in St George.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
78
Athens
144
St George
Groceries
101
Athens
100
St George
Utilities
101
Athens
87
St George
Transportation
96
Athens
104
St George
Healthcare
97
Athens
96
St George

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Athens has the same purchasing power as $93,750 in St George.

Conversely, $75,000 in St George equals $60,000 in Athens.

Living in Athens vs St George

Housing Costs

Athens's housing index of 78 is lower St George's 144, translating to median home prices of $307,000 vs $550,000. The $243,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,792 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Athens compared to $1,525/mo in St George, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Athens and 100 in St George. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Athens 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 101 in Athens and 87 in St George. Monthly utility bills average approximately $404 in Athens 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 97 in Athens 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 $56,700 in Athens and $72,400 in St George. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,432 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 $1,323/month to housing in Athens vs $1,689/month in St George. In Athens, median rent of $1,200/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 66 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Athens is 20.0% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 110.
A $75,000 salary in Athens has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $93,750 in St George, based on the cost of living difference.
Athens's housing index is 78 with median homes at $307,000, while St George's is 144 with median homes at $550,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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