The Cost of Living in St. George, Utah: What You Need to Know

The cost of living in St. George surprises newcomers in both directions. Housing is the big expense, while taxes, electricity and many everyday costs come in lower than people expect. Below are the main line items with current numbers and sources, so a household can build a realistic budget. Ready to see what's on the market? Browse homes for sale in St. George.

The Short Version

• Housing: median sale price of $502,500, with homes selling at 98.1% of list price.
• Income tax: Utah's flat rate is 4.45% for 2026.
• Sales tax: 6.75% combined in St. George, 3% on grocery food.
• Property tax: a primary home is taxed on only 55% of its market value.
• Electricity: the city runs its own electric utility, and rates are well below the national average, though summer air conditioning drives bills up.

Housing: The Biggest Line Item

St. George's latest median sale price is $502,500, homes typically sell in about 40 days, and there are 997 homes on the market. That overall median includes a lot of townhomes and condos. In recent MLS sales, single-family homes in St. George sold for a median of about $565,000, or about $264 per square foot.

Many buyers assume neighboring towns are cheaper. For single-family homes, the numbers say otherwise. Recent single-family sales compare like this:

• Cedar City: about $510,000 median, the lowest in this group
• Hurricane: about $560,000, with somewhat larger lots on average
• St. George: about $565,000
• Washington: about $573,000
• Salt Lake City: about $675,000, with a much higher price per square foot

New homes in master-planned communities such as Desert Color and SunRiver usually cost more than similar-size homes in older neighborhoods. Buyers on a tighter budget often look at townhomes or older homes; see St. George homes under $500K. Current trends are on the St. George market stats page.

Renting first is common for newcomers. Rents vary widely by size, age and neighborhood, so compare current listings before signing.

Income vs. Home Prices

The U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey put St. George's median household income at about $72,900 in 2023. Set against a typical home price above $450,000, that gap explains why affordability is a constant local topic. In practice, the cost of living feels very different depending on where a buyer is coming from. Households that sell a home in a higher-cost market, bring retirement savings or keep a remote salary usually find St. George manageable. Households earning a typical local income often rent, buy a townhome, or look at the lower-priced parts of the region.

A common budgeting rule is to keep housing (mortgage, property tax, insurance and any HOA dues) at or below about 30% of gross income. Mortgage rates change daily, so buyers should get a current pre-approval to see what that payment looks like at today's rates.

Taxes

• Income tax: Utah has a flat individual income tax. Lawmakers lowered it to 4.45%, retroactive to January 1, 2026.
• Sales tax: the combined rate in St. George is 6.75%. Grocery food is taxed at a lower 3%, while prepared restaurant food carries an extra local restaurant tax.
• Property tax: Utah taxes a primary residence on 55% of its market value (a 45% exemption). Second homes and nightly rentals don't get that exemption, so their tax bills run noticeably higher. Bills vary by address; the county's records show what a specific home has paid.
• Retirement income: Utah taxes Social Security benefits but offers a credit that can fully offset that tax for lower- and middle-income retirees. For 2025, the full credit applied up to $54,000 of income for single filers and $90,000 for joint filers, phasing out above that. Retirees comparing age-restricted neighborhoods can see HOA dues and prices side by side in the guide to 55+ communities in St. George.

Details and current rates are posted by the Utah State Tax Commission.

Utilities

The City of St. George runs its own electric utility, and parts of the surrounding area are served by Dixie Power, a rural electric cooperative. Both have residential rates well below the national average, generally in the high single digits to low teens per kilowatt-hour. The catch is summer. Air conditioning runs hard from June through September, so July and August bills are much higher than spring or fall bills. Before buying, ask the seller for the past year of utility bills.

Low electric rates also change the math on solar panels. With power this inexpensive, rooftop solar takes longer to pay for itself here than in high-rate states.

Natural gas comes from Enbridge (formerly Dominion Energy), and water is provided by each city, usually with tiered rates that rise with heavy summer irrigation.

Groceries and Everyday Spending

The main grocery options are Walmart, Smith's, Harmons, Lin's and Costco, plus smaller local and specialty stores. The 3% sales tax on grocery food is a small but real saving compared with the full sales tax rate. Restaurant prices are similar to other mid-size Western cities.

Getting Around

St. George is spread out, and most households need a car for each working adult. SunTran runs city bus routes, but coverage is limited compared with larger metros. Many households drive more here than they did in a dense city, so fuel deserves a real line in the budget.

St. George Regional Airport has nonstop flights to major hubs, including Salt Lake City, Denver, Phoenix and Dallas–Fort Worth, while Las Vegas, about two hours away, has more routes and more low-cost carriers.

Healthcare

Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital is the main hospital for Southern Utah: a 284-bed Level II trauma center with specialty care that would otherwise mean a long drive north or to Las Vegas. Costs depend mostly on insurance, but access to a full regional hospital is a big part of why St. George works for retirees.

Recreation Costs

A lot of St. George's best recreation is inexpensive. Snow Canyon State Park is minutes from the west side, Zion National Park is about an hour east, and Sand Hollow and Quail Creek reservoirs are within a short drive. A federal America the Beautiful pass ($80 a year) covers Zion and other national parks, and Utah State Parks sells its own annual pass for the state parks. Golf is the main exception: the area has many courses, and green fees run from municipal rates to resort prices at courses like Black Desert.

A Sample Monthly Budget Checklist

1. Housing: mortgage or rent, property tax, homeowners insurance and HOA dues. Aim for about 30% of gross income or less.
2. Utilities: electric, gas, water, trash and internet, with extra room in July and August.
3. Transportation: car payments, insurance, fuel and maintenance for every driver in the household.
4. Groceries and household goods.
5. Healthcare: premiums and expected out-of-pocket costs.
6. Recreation: park passes, golf, gym or club memberships.

Bottom Line

Housing is the one expense that consistently runs high in St. George. Taxes, electricity and recreation often come in lower than newcomers expect. The households that get surprised usually underestimated summer electric bills or how much they would drive. For a deeper look at the trade-offs, see the pros and cons of living in St. George and the guide to the best areas around St. George. For help matching a budget to neighborhoods, contact Best Utah Real Estate.