Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in St. George?

To afford a 2-bedroom in St. George, you need to earn at least $64,320/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $69,333, which means the typical resident is $5,013 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 96,174

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$1,126	$3,753	$45,040	$-24,293
1 Bedroom	$1,335	$4,450	$53,400	$-15,933
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,608	$5,360	$64,320	$-5,013
3 Bedroom	$1,962	$6,540	$78,480	+$9,147
4 Bedroom	$2,412	$8,040	$96,480	+$27,147

Affordability Breakdown

Where the required salary line crosses above St. George's median income — housing becomes unaffordable for the typical resident.

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$69,333

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$64,320

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$5,013

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 27.8%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in St. George

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with St. George's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$1,733

Studio

$1,126/mo

1 BR

$1,335/mo

2 BR

$1,608/mo

3 BR

$1,962/mo

4 BR

$2,412/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in St. George.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

Bars left of the marker line are affordable for St. George's median earner. Bars to the right require above-median income.

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to St. George

Renting in St. George, Utah is doable for median earners, but tight. A 2-bedroom requires roughly $64,320/year under the 30% rule, and with a median income of $69,333, residents are operating close to the threshold.

Downsizing to a 1-bedroom ($1,335/month) or studio ($1,126/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in St. George pushes the required income to $78,480.

For comfortable living in St. George without financial stress, target a household income of at least $96,480 — this accounts for rent being approximately 30% of take-home pay while leaving adequate room for Utah's cost of living.

Economic Outlook

Local Job Market & Housing Dynamics

Affording rent isn't just about housing prices—it's heavily dependent on local employment opportunities and the strength of the job market in St. George, Utah.

With a total population of 96,174, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 40,582 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $64,320 annual salary. The ratio of employed residents to the total population provides insight into the local economic health and competition for both jobs and housing.

Employed Workforce

40,582

Active civilian employees in St. George

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in St. George

What salary do I need to live in St. George, Utah?

To afford a 2-bedroom in St. George under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $64,320. The median household income in St. George is $69,333.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in St. George on $69,333?

The affordability verdict for St. George is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 27.8%, meaning median earners have a $5,013 surplus.

What is the average rent in St. George compared to median income?

The median gross rent in St. George is $1,335/month. With a median household income of $69,333, residents spend approximately 27.8% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in St. George?

A studio in St. George rents for approximately $1,126/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $45,040 to afford this.

Is St. George considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $5,013 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", St. George is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $64,320 to the local median household income.

How St. George Compares

Other cities in Utah with salary requirements