City Comparison

Carmel vs St George

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Carmel

Indiana
106
Above Average
$478,000
Median Home
$1,700/mo
Median Rent
$141,500
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 Carmel being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Carmel has equivalent purchasing power to $77,830 in St George.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
134
Carmel
144
St George
Groceries
100
Carmel
100
St George
Utilities
97
Carmel
87
St George
Transportation
97
Carmel
104
St George
Healthcare
89
Carmel
96
St George

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Carmel has the same purchasing power as $77,830 in St George.

Conversely, $75,000 in St George equals $72,273 in Carmel.

Living in Carmel vs St George

Housing Costs

Carmel's housing index of 134 is lower St George's 144, translating to median home prices of $478,000 vs $550,000. The $72,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,680 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,700/mo in Carmel compared to $1,525/mo in St George, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Carmel and 100 in St George. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Carmel 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 97 in Carmel and 87 in St George. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Carmel vs $348 in St George. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 89 in Carmel 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 $141,500 in Carmel and $72,400 in St George. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $133,491 and $65,818 respectively. Carmel residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,302/month to housing in Carmel vs $1,689/month in St George. In Carmel, median rent of $1,700/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 10 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Carmel is 3.6% more affordable overall with an index of 106 vs 110.
A $75,000 salary in Carmel has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $77,830 in St George, based on the cost of living difference.
Carmel's housing index is 134 with median homes at $478,000, while St George's is 144 with median homes at $550,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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