Dayton vs St George
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
St George
The Verdict
Dayton is 27.3% less expensive than St George overall. A household earning $75,000 in Dayton would need approximately $103,125 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 Dayton has the same purchasing power as $103,125 in St George.
Conversely, $75,000 in St George equals $54,545 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs St George
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower St George's 144, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $550,000. The $415,000 difference in home prices means roughly $26,976 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,525/mo in St George, a monthly difference of $625.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 100 in St George. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton 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 109 in Dayton and 87 in St George. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton 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 114 in Dayton and 96 in St George. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $43,500 in Dayton and $72,400 in St George. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 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 $1,015/month to housing in Dayton vs $1,689/month in St George. In Dayton, median rent of $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 98 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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