Buy vs Rent in St. George, UT (2026)
Median home price $440K · 1BR rent $1,300/mo · Price-to-rent ratio 28.2x.
Median home price
$440K
1BR rent
$1,300/mo
Price-to-rent ratio
28.2x
Verdict
Rent signal
Monthly cost of buying — 3 scenarios
30-year mortgage at 7% · Includes property tax, insurance, and maintenance estimates
| 3.5% down (FHA) | 10% down | 20% down (conventional) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Down payment | $15,400 | $44,000 | $88,000 |
| Mortgage (P&I) | $2,825/mo | $2,635/mo | $2,342/mo |
| Property tax (est.) | $403/mo | $403/mo | $403/mo |
| Insurance (est.) | $183/mo | $183/mo | $183/mo |
| Maintenance (est.) | $367/mo | $367/mo | $367/mo |
| Total monthly cost | $3,778vs rent: +$2,478/mo | $3,588vs rent: +$2,288/mo | $3,295vs rent: +$1,995/mo |
| Income to qualify | $121,071/yr | $112,929/yr | $100,371/yr |
| Break-even (approx.) | ~1 yrs | ~2 yrs | ~4 yrs |
St. George housing context
$62K
Median HH income
per year
$100,371
Income needed (20% down)
per year
+$38K
Affordability gap
vs median income
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to buy or rent in St. George?
With a price-to-rent ratio of 28.2x, renting is often more cost-effective in St. George in the short term. Buying makes more sense if you plan to stay 7+ years and can make a larger down payment.
How much do I need to earn to buy a home in St. George?
With a median home price of $440K in St. George, you'd need an annual income of roughly $100,371 to qualify with 20% down (at 7% rate, 28% housing ratio). With 10% down, you'd need about $112,929/year.
St. George full cost of living breakdownCheaper cities near St. GeorgeHow much to retire in St. GeorgeCompare mortgage rates
Mortgage at 7% 30-yr fixed · Property tax 1.1% est. · Maintenance 1% est. · Zillow, BLS · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only