City Comparison

Sarasota vs St George

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Sarasota

Florida
112
Above Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,800/mo
Median Rent
$52,147
Median Income

St George

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

The Verdict

1.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 1.8%, with St George being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Sarasota has equivalent purchasing power to $73,661 in St George.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
132
Sarasota
144
St George
Groceries
104
Sarasota
100
St George
Utilities
95
Sarasota
87
St George
Transportation
104
Sarasota
104
St George
Healthcare
97
Sarasota
96
St George

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Sarasota has the same purchasing power as $73,661 in St George.

Conversely, $75,000 in St George equals $76,364 in Sarasota.

Living in Sarasota vs St George

Housing Costs

Sarasota's housing index of 132 is lower St George's 144, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $550,000. The $170,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,052 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Sarasota compared to $1,525/mo in St George, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Sarasota and 100 in St George. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Sarasota 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 Sarasota and 87 in St George. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Sarasota vs $348 in St George. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 97 in Sarasota 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 $52,147 in Sarasota and $72,400 in St George. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $46,560 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 $1,217/month to housing in Sarasota vs $1,689/month in St George. In Sarasota, median rent of $1,800/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 12 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

St George is 1.8% more affordable overall with an index of 110 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Sarasota has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $73,661 in St George, based on the cost of living difference.
Sarasota's housing index is 132 with median homes at $380,000, while St George's is 144 with median homes at $550,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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