Roanoke vs St George
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Roanoke
St George
The Verdict
Roanoke is 26.4% less expensive than St George overall. A household earning $75,000 in Roanoke would need approximately $101,852 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 Roanoke has the same purchasing power as $101,852 in St George.
Conversely, $75,000 in St George equals $55,227 in Roanoke.
Living in Roanoke vs St George
Housing Costs
Roanoke's housing index of 57 is lower St George's 144, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $550,000. The $325,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,120 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Roanoke compared to $1,525/mo in St George, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Roanoke and 100 in St George. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Roanoke 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 116 in Roanoke and 87 in St George. Monthly utility bills average approximately $464 in Roanoke 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 91 in Roanoke 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 $52,700 in Roanoke and $72,400 in St George. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,062 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 $1,230/month to housing in Roanoke vs $1,689/month in St George. In Roanoke, median rent of $1,075/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 87 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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