CostIndexUSA

Santa Barbara, CA vs St. George, UT Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Santa Barbara
108.8
overall index
$2,275/mo rent
More AffordableUT
St. George
97.3
overall index
$1,900/mo rent

St. George is moderately cheaper than Santa Barbara — 10.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Santa Barbara, you would need $71,500 in St. George. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing35.2%
Santa Barbara
151.4
St. George
98.1
🛒 Groceries8.4%
Santa Barbara
105.2
St. George
96.4
🚗 Transportation1.3%
Santa Barbara
105.3
St. George
103.9
🏥 Healthcare1.4%
Santa Barbara
95.3
St. George
94
Utilities48.1%
Santa Barbara
149.8
St. George
77.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Santa Barbara to see what you'd need to earn in St. George to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in St. George, UT
$71,500
$8,500 less needed in St. George

Formula: salary × (97.3 ÷ 108.8) = salary × 0.8943. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Santa Barbara, CA

Median Home Price
$510,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,275
Housing Index
151.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.7×

St. George, UT

Median Home Price
$520,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,900
Housing Index
98.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.8×

Santa Barbara has 35.2% lower housing costs compared to St. George.

Income & Job Market

Santa Barbara, CA

Median Household Income
$91,200
Per Capita Income
$52,000
Unemployment Rate
6.1%
Population
88,255
Top Industries
EducationTourismTechnologyHealthcareBiotechnology

St. George, UT

Median Household Income
$77,500
Per Capita Income
$44,200
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
89,587
Top Industries
HealthcareTourismReal EstateRetailConstruction

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Santa Barbara, CA
3.3×income-to-rent ratio

70% of income left after rent (median)

St. George, UT
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.