Cost of Living in St. Simons, GA

Population 16,026 · Georgia · Data vintage 2023

145
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

The median resident in St. Simons is 59 years old, well past the national midpoint, giving the city the retail and service mix of a retirement-dominant market. Household-income figures here read differently than in working-age cities: retirement and investment income weigh heavily in the totals. An unemployment rate of 2.7% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Geographically, St. Simons is about 60 miles south of Savannah, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 115% higher than Savannah's $225,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 159
Rent 124

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in St. Simons

The median home value in St. Simons is $484,100 — 59% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,626/month, 24% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $105,944/year is 42% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.7%, below the national average of 4.8%. Georgia's top state income tax rate is 5.5% and the combined sales tax is 7.3%. The climate averages highs of 77.1°F and lows of 61.2°F. Overall, St. Simons has a cost of living index of 145 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 45% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$484,100
59% above avg
Median Rent
$1,626/mo
24% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.8x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
0.9%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$773
1 BR
$817
2 BR
$984
3 BR
$1,289
4 BR
$1,520
Owner-occupied 86.6%
Renter-occupied 13.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,626
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,240/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
18.5 min
31% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
17.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.0%
Carpooled
4.6%
Public transit
0.1%
Walked
1.2%
Work from home
17.1%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 5.5%
Total Sales Tax 7.3%
State rate 4.0%
Avg local rate 3.4%
Property Tax 0.9%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$105,944
42% above avg
Per Capita Income
$71,254
Unemployment Rate
2.7%
44% below avg
Poverty Rate
4.3%
Labor Force Participation
49.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 32.7%
Graduate degree 22.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 59
Male median age 57.3
Female median age 60.2

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
77.1°F
Avg Low
61.2°F
Annual Precip
45.4"
Annual Snowfall
0"
40° 55° 70° 85° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 626570768388919086797164
Low °F 444753606874767673645347
Precip" 3.152.783.272.822.295.764.195.796.004.701.912.75

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 43 — Good
66.9%
Good air days/yr
90
Max AQI recorded
294
PM2.5 days
69
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in St. Simons, GA?

St. Simons has a cost index of 145 (100 = national average). It is 45% above the national average.

What is average rent in St. Simons, GA?

The median gross rent in St. Simons is $1,626 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in St. Simons?

The median home value in St. Simons is $484,100 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in St. Simons?

The median household income in St. Simons is $105,944 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in St. Simons, GA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in St. Simons is 7.3%. The Georgia state income tax top rate is 5.5%.

Is St. Simons, GA affordable?

St. Simons is above average in cost of living, with an index of 145 — about 45% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in St. Simons?

St. Simons has average high temperatures of 77.1°F and average lows of 61.2°F. Annual precipitation is 45.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

St. Simons at a Glance

Population
16,026
Median Income
$105,944
Home Value
$484,100
Median Rent
$1,626/mo
Unemployment
2.7%
Avg High Temp
77.1°F
Sales Tax
7.3%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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