Des Moines vs St George

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Des Moines has the same purchasing power as $92,697 in St George.

Conversely, $75,000 in St George equals $60,682 in Des Moines.

Living in Des Moines vs St George

Housing Costs

Des Moines's housing index of 74 is lower St George's 144, translating to median home prices of $210,000 vs $550,000. The $340,000 difference in home prices means roughly $22,104 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Des Moines compared to $1,525/mo in St George, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Des Moines and 100 in St George. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Des Moines 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 93 in Des Moines and 87 in St George. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Des Moines vs $348 in St George. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 97 in Des Moines 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 $55,958 in Des Moines and $72,400 in St George. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,874 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 $1,306/month to housing in Des Moines vs $1,689/month in St George. In Des Moines, median rent of $1,100/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 70 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases