St. George wins overall by ~10% (COL index)
Cost of living: St. George vs Salt Lake City (2026)
A $67,000 salary in St. George buys roughly what $74,677 does in Salt Lake City (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
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Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$5,792/yr
Favoring St. George for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $483/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~32 months and still keep ~$58/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | St. George Utah | Salt Lake City Utah | Who wins | Your impact at $67K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,050Wins | $1,400 | St. wins +$350/mo | $4,200/yr saves in St. |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,300Wins | $1,700 | St. wins +$400/mo | $4,800/yr saves in St. |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,750Wins | $2,200 | St. wins +$450/mo | $5,400/yr saves in St. |
| Median home price | $440KBetter | $480K | St. wins +$40K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 98Better | 98 | — | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $13Better | $13 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $54Better | $55 | St. wins +$1/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $40Wins | $90 | St. wins +$50/mo | $600/yr saves in St. |
| Gas price/gal | $3.35 | $3.30Better | SLC wins −$0.05 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $135Better | $140 | St. wins +$5/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $148Better | $150 | St. wins +$2/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $63 | $60Better | SLC wins −$3/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $62K | $72KWins | SLC wins +$10K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.7%Better | 4.7% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.2%Better | 7.8% | St. wins +0.6 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $14.00Better | $14.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $35Wins | $40 | St. wins +$5/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.50Wins | $7.00 | St. wins +$1.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 96Better | 107 | St. wins +11 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 22 | 42Wins | SLC wins +20 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
St. George fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in St. George.
High-yield savings
Park ~$4,800/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
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Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is St. George cheaper than Salt Lake City?
Yes. St. George is 10% cheaper than Salt Lake City based on overall cost of living indices (96 vs 107, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in St. George vs Salt Lake City?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in St. George is $1,300/month and in Salt Lake City is $1,700/month. St. George is cheaper by 24%.
How much do I need to earn in Salt Lake City to match a $75,000 salary in St. George?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $83,594/year in Salt Lake City to match a $75,000 salary in St. George. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — St. George or Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City has the lower state income tax rate at 4.7% vs 4.7%. The difference is 0.0 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from St. George to Salt Lake City?
It depends on your priorities. St. George offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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