City Comparison

St George vs Virginia Beach

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

St George

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

Virginia Beach

Virginia
105
Average
$310,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$73,418
Median Income

The Verdict

4.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 4.8%, with Virginia Beach being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in St George has equivalent purchasing power to $71,591 in Virginia Beach.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
144
St George
112
Virginia Beach
Groceries
100
St George
100
Virginia Beach
Utilities
87
St George
98
Virginia Beach
Transportation
104
St George
101
Virginia Beach
Healthcare
96
St George
99
Virginia Beach

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in St George has the same purchasing power as $71,591 in Virginia Beach.

Conversely, $75,000 in Virginia Beach equals $78,571 in St George.

Living in St George vs Virginia Beach

Housing Costs

St George's housing index of 144 is higher Virginia Beach's 112, translating to median home prices of $550,000 vs $310,000. The $240,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,600 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,525/mo in St George compared to $1,500/mo in Virginia Beach, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in St George and 100 in Virginia Beach. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in St George vs $475/month in Virginia Beach. 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 98 in Virginia Beach. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in St George vs $392 in Virginia Beach. 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 99 in Virginia Beach. 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 $73,418 in Virginia Beach. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,818 and $69,922 respectively. Virginia Beach 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 $1,713/month in Virginia Beach. In St George, median rent of $1,525/mo fits within this budget. In Virginia Beach, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 32 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Virginia Beach is 4.8% more affordable overall with an index of 105 vs 110.
A $75,000 salary in St George has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $71,591 in Virginia Beach, based on the cost of living difference.
St George's housing index is 144 with median homes at $550,000, while Virginia Beach's is 112 with median homes at $310,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases