St George vs Tempe
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
St George
Tempe
The Verdict
Living in Tempe costs 3.8% less than St George. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in St George, you would need $72,273 in Tempe.
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 $72,273 in Tempe.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tempe equals $77,830 in St George.
Living in St George vs Tempe
Housing Costs
St George's housing index of 144 is higher Tempe's 114, translating to median home prices of $550,000 vs $400,000. The $150,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,756 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,525/mo in St George compared to $1,600/mo in Tempe, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in St George and 100 in Tempe. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in St George vs $475/month in Tempe. 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 96 in Tempe. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in St George vs $384 in Tempe. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in St George and 95 in Tempe. 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 $56,068 in Tempe. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,818 and $52,894 respectively. St George residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,689/month to housing in St George vs $1,308/month in Tempe. In St George, median rent of $1,525/mo fits within this budget. In Tempe, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 30 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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