St George vs Surprise

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in St George has the same purchasing power as $70,227 in Surprise.

Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $80,097 in St George.

Living in St George vs Surprise

Housing Costs

St George's housing index of 144 is higher Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $550,000 vs $419,000. The $131,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,520 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,525/mo in St George compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in St George and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in St George vs $475/month in Surprise. 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 87 in St George and 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in St George vs $408 in Surprise. 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 96 in St George and 97 in Surprise. 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 $72,400 in St George and $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,818 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,689/month to housing in St George vs $1,995/month in Surprise. In St George, median rent of $1,525/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 39 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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