City Comparison

Orem vs St George

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Orem

Utah
117
Above Average
$528,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$86,000
Median Income

St George

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

The Verdict

6.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 6.4%, with St George being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Orem has equivalent purchasing power to $70,513 in St George.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
147
Orem
144
St George
Groceries
98
Orem
100
St George
Utilities
92
Orem
87
St George
Transportation
108
Orem
104
St George
Healthcare
95
Orem
96
St George

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Orem has the same purchasing power as $70,513 in St George.

Conversely, $75,000 in St George equals $79,773 in Orem.

Living in Orem vs St George

Housing Costs

Orem's housing index of 147 is higher St George's 144, translating to median home prices of $528,000 vs $550,000. The $22,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,428 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Orem compared to $1,525/mo in St George, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Orem and 100 in St George. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Orem 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 92 in Orem and 87 in St George. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Orem vs $348 in St George. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 95 in Orem 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 $86,000 in Orem and $72,400 in St George. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,504 and $65,818 respectively. Orem residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,007/month to housing in Orem vs $1,689/month in St George. In Orem, median rent of $1,400/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 Utilities, where the gap is 5 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

St George is 6.4% more affordable overall with an index of 110 vs 117.
A $75,000 salary in Orem has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $70,513 in St George, based on the cost of living difference.
Orem's housing index is 147 with median homes at $528,000, while St George's is 144 with median homes at $550,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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