If you’re moving to the red rock city of St. George, there are a few things that you should consider before making the big leap! One of those things is the cost of living in St. George and how it measures up to the larger state of Utah and the national averages.
You’ll also need to figure out just how much you’ll need to earn in order to make a comfortable living.
That’s where we come in.
Our comprehensive guide to the cost of living in St George Utah covers everything you’ll need to know including the cost of housing, groceries, healthcare, and more.
So, if you’re interested in moving to St. George, this is the perfect place to start.
The Cost Of Living In St George Utah
St. George, Utah, may not be as famous as larger cities like New York or San Francisco, but what it lacks in popularity it makes up for in charm.
It is a city in Washington County and is actually the seventh-largest city in Utah. It is known as the red rock city because of the naturally occurring orange and red rocks that make up the breath-taking canyons and mountains of the area.
St. George has so much to offer and is close to some famous and gorgeous natural parks like the Zion National Park, the Mojave Desert, and the Pine Valley Mountains. So, if you love the great outdoors, hiking, biking, or simply enjoying nature, St. George is the perfect place to relocate to.
There are also fun golf courses and art galleries to enjoy! You’ll never be short on things to do.
But, just how much are these luxuries going to cost you?
St. George has a cost of living index score of 103,6. So, on average, the cost of living in St. George is only 3,6% more expensive than the national average.Â
This means that even if you’re living in a relatively affordable state, you should be able to make ends meet if you choose to move to St. George.
The first expense we’ll be covering in this guide is housing, so let’s jump in.
Housing
The cost of housing is one of the most pricy expenses and should be the first thing on your list when checking the cost of living.
Now, as you know, how much you’ll actually end up spending on housing depends on the size of the property or apartment, whether you’re choosing to rent or buy, and the location.
On average, the cost of housing in St. George is actually 5% lower than the national average.
This means that you should be able to find relatively affordable housing without much issue. If you’re moving in from a more expensive city like New York, you might even be able to save some money on housing.
Renting a Property
The average cost of renting an apartment in St. George is around $1,252 a month. This is about $200 cheaper than the Utah average of $1,465.
It is also $100 cheaper than the national average of $1,150.
However, if this is too pricey for you, there are cheaper options. If you’re on your own, you might want to consider a studio apartment for around $670. A larger one-bedroom apartment can go for around $740, and a two-bedroom apartment can average around $950.
The fancier three- and four-bedroom apartments can range between $1,360 to $1,670 if you have a family or are moving with roommates or friends.
Buying a Property
If renting is not for you, you could consider buying a property.
Much like with renting, how much you’ll actually pay for a house will depend on the size, location, and extra amenities like pools or large backyards.
That being said, you can expect to pay an average of between $223,200 to $329,997.
On average, you can expect to pay around $1,235 per month on your mortgage. This is in line with the average cost of rent so, deciding between whether you want to rent or buy is completely up to personal preference and your ability to do so.
Utilities
Another unavoidable cost is utilities. While housing in St. George is quite pricey, the cost of utilities is the exact opposite.
At 11% cheaper than the national average, this is where you’ll be able to save some money.
On average, you can expect to pay around $15,65 per month on electricity at a rate of $0,75 per kWh. If you’re a high consumption user, that rate goes up to $0,81 after using more than 800 kWh.
You can expect to pay around $24,72 per month for the first 5,000 gallons of water that you use. However, as with electricity, the price increases if you surpass the 5,000-gallon threshold. The city of St. George will charge you an extra $1,18 for every additional 1,000 gallons you use.
This price increases again to $1,30 per 1,000 gallons once you surpass the threshold of 10,000 gallons.
So, when it comes to electricity and water, how much you end up paying really depends on how much you use.
Garbage disposal can cost you around $11,85 per month and sewerage removal is around $10,68.
Lastly, a 60Mbps internet line can cost you $73,83 but this will depend on your service provider.
Overall, the cost of utilities in St. George is generally quite affordable and shouldn’t break your bank account.
Food and Groceries
Despite the cost of living in St. George being 3,6% higher than the national average, the cost of groceries and food are actually 2% cheaper than the national average which is surprising.
Now, how much you end up spending on groceries will depend on where you choose to shop but on average, groceries are pretty affordable.
You can expect to pay around $2,50 for a gallon of milk, $2,30 for a loaf of bread, and around $1,40 for a dozen eggs.
A pound of ground beef goes for around $4,60 and a pizza can cost you $10.
If you’re a foodie and would love to explore the St. George food scene, a meal at a cheap restaurant can cost you $12,50 per person.
A meal at a mid-range restaurant can cost upwards of $45 for two people, and a sneaky McMeal at McDonald’s can cost you $7.
Transportation
Unlike the low cost of utilities and groceries, the average cost of transportation in St. George is 2% higher than the national average.
While this isn’t much of a difference, if you’re traveling a lot it could cost you a pretty penny. The average cost of gas per gallon is $3,70 which is higher than the national average of $3,40 per gallon of gas.Â
The commuting times are also pretty intense and range from 40 minutes to 5 hours depending on where you’re located and where you’re traveling to.
Public Transport
St. George might not have the large public transport system that New York has developed but it is not without its merits.
The city offers two public transport systems, namely; the SunTran Transit System and the St. George Shuttle.
Depending on which you choose to take, you can expect to pay around $1,50 for a one-way bus ticket and around $30 for a monthly bus pass.
St. George also has a thriving taxi industry if you’re not a fan of taking the bus. We should warn you though, the cost of a taxi is much more expensive than a bus ticket.
On average, you can expect to pay around $3,47 per mile when taking a taxi. This is incredibly expensive. If you’re a regular traveler, you might want to consider opting for a bus pass since it’ll save you both time and money.
Healthcare
Healthcare is another unavoidable, and often costly, expense. However, in our experience, it is a cost people forget to consider when moving to a new city or state.
Unfortunately, the average cost of healthcare in St. George is 8% higher than the national average. This means that you’ll probably need to prepare yourself for a bit more at the doctor than you’re used to. We suggest you invest in great health care insurance.
On average, you can expect to pay between $102,63 and $127,67 for a trip to the doctors’ offices. A trip to the optometrist can cost you upwards of $96,17 and a trip to the dentist is around $88,17.
If you’ve traveled with a furry friend, a trip to the vet can cost almost $50.
Child Care and Education
If you have children, another expense you’ll want to consider is the cost of child care. One of the major expenses that come with having children is the cost of education.
How much you actually end up paying will depend on the school you send your children to. If you’d like to send your child to private school, it’ll cost a lot more than public school so this is something to keep in mind.
St. George is home to 12 local elementary schools, 5 middle schools, 5 high schools, and 3 accredited colleges so you’ll have more than enough options to choose from.
On average, you can expect to pay around $750 per month for a private preschool or kindergarten.
The average cost of a school lunch at a public school is around $2,20.
Entertainment
There are numerous fun activities to do in St. George. It is a gorgeous city with lots of surrounding natural land. So, it comes as no surprise that most of the activities are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Fortunately, many of these activities are free or very affordable.
If you love the great outdoors, hiking, and a good family picnic, you might want to consider splurging on a weekly pass into Zion National Park for around $35. This gives you unlimited access to the national park and access to Kolob Canyon.
For just $15, you can enjoy all Sand Hollow State Park has to offer. This includes off-road driving, biking, hiking, and a ton of other fun activities. Paying $100 will buy you an annual pass to the park for year-round fun.
On the subject of physical activity, the average cost of a gym membership is around $23, which is quite affordable.
If you’re more of a movie fan, a ticket to the movies costs $9,50. Art lovers can enjoy the St. George Children’s Museum for only $5.
The Kayenta Art Village, located close to St. George, is a hub of art galleries if you prefer a more cultural experience. It also has a cafe and art studios that you can visit.
How Much Do You Need to Earn to Live Comfortably in St. George, Utah?
One of the key concerns when moving to a new city or state is whether you’ll be able to maintain the standard of living you’ve become accustomed to.
The average income in St. George is around $59,300 annually. Therefore, your monthly earnings should range closely to this amount.
If you’re currently earning less than the average amount, we’d suggest you find ways to cut costs. This could be living in a cheaper area, forgoing a gym membership, and planning out a careful budget.
In Summary
Moving to a new city or state is one of the most exciting and stressful life experiences. After all, there are so many things you need to consider before even deciding to make the move.
One of the key things though is to understand the cost of living.
Hopefully, our guide to the cost of living in St. George, Utah, has helped you start this journey with some more information.
And, if you need any help moving to St. George, why not check out our affordable, professional moving services? Let us help you make moving a breeze!
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