Columbia vs St George
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Columbia
St George
The Verdict
St George is 20.0% less expensive than Columbia overall. A household earning $75,000 in Columbia would need approximately $62,500 in St George to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Columbia has the same purchasing power as $62,500 in St George.
Conversely, $75,000 in St George equals $90,000 in Columbia.
Living in Columbia vs St George
Housing Costs
Columbia's housing index of 172 is higher St George's 144, translating to median home prices of $430,000 vs $550,000. The $120,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,800 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,900/mo in Columbia compared to $1,525/mo in St George, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Columbia and 100 in St George. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Columbia 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 110 in Columbia and 87 in St George. Monthly utility bills average approximately $440 in Columbia 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 Columbia 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 $112,738 in Columbia and $72,400 in St George. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $85,408 and $65,818 respectively. Columbia residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,631/month to housing in Columbia vs $1,689/month in St George. In Columbia, median rent of $1,900/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 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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