City Comparison

St George vs Washington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

St George

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

Washington

District of Columbia
152
Very Expensive
$580,000
Median Home
$2,300/mo
Median Rent
$90,842
Median Income

The Verdict

27.6%

Living in St George costs 27.6% less than Washington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in St George, you would need $103,636 in Washington.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
144
St George
226
Washington
Groceries
100
St George
108
Washington
Utilities
87
St George
118
Washington
Transportation
104
St George
109
Washington
Healthcare
96
St George
105
Washington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in St George has the same purchasing power as $103,636 in Washington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Washington equals $54,276 in St George.

Living in St George vs Washington

Housing Costs

St George's housing index of 144 is lower Washington's 226, translating to median home prices of $550,000 vs $580,000. The $30,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,956 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,525/mo in St George compared to $2,300/mo in Washington, a monthly difference of $775.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in St George and 108 in Washington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in St George vs $513/month in Washington. St George offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 87 in St George and 118 in Washington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in St George vs $472 in Washington. 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 105 in Washington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $72,400 in St George and $90,842 in Washington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,818 and $59,764 respectively. St George residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,689/month to housing in St George vs $2,120/month in Washington. In St George, median rent of $1,525/mo fits within this budget. In Washington, median rent of $2,300/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 82 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

St George is 27.6% more affordable overall with an index of 110 vs 152.
A $75,000 salary in St George has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $103,636 in Washington, based on the cost of living difference.
St George's housing index is 144 with median homes at $550,000, while Washington's is 226 with median homes at $580,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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