City Comparison

Johnson City vs St George

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Johnson City

Tennessee
85
Very Affordable
$276,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$55,400
Median Income

St George

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

The Verdict

22.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 22.7%, with Johnson City being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Johnson City has equivalent purchasing power to $97,059 in St George.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
66
Johnson City
144
St George
Groceries
95
Johnson City
100
St George
Utilities
95
Johnson City
87
St George
Transportation
88
Johnson City
104
St George
Healthcare
94
Johnson City
96
St George

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Johnson City has the same purchasing power as $97,059 in St George.

Conversely, $75,000 in St George equals $57,955 in Johnson City.

Living in Johnson City vs St George

Housing Costs

Johnson City's housing index of 66 is lower St George's 144, translating to median home prices of $276,000 vs $550,000. The $274,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,808 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Johnson City compared to $1,525/mo in St George, a monthly difference of $500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Johnson City and 100 in St George. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Johnson City 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 95 in Johnson City and 87 in St George. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Johnson City vs $348 in St George. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 94 in Johnson City 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 $55,400 in Johnson City and $72,400 in St George. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,176 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 $1,293/month to housing in Johnson City vs $1,689/month in St George. In Johnson City, median rent of $1,025/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 78 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Johnson City is 22.7% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 110.
A $75,000 salary in Johnson City has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $97,059 in St George, based on the cost of living difference.
Johnson City's housing index is 66 with median homes at $276,000, while St George's is 144 with median homes at $550,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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