Five Reasons People Are Choosing St. George, Utah Over Scottsdale, Arizona

I love Scottsdale. Fantastic restaurants, beautiful homes, unbelievable golf.

But if you're considering a move to the Southwest, there's another place I think deserves a serious look.

St. George, Utah.

I was born and raised here, and I've been selling real estate in Southern Utah since 2005. I've watched this community change dramatically, and I've helped people compare St. George with places like Scottsdale, Las Vegas, and Southern California.

St. George and Scottsdale both offer sunshine, desert scenery, golf, and beautiful homes. The differences come down to housing costs, daily life, outdoor recreation, climate, and the kind of community you want.

Here are five reasons I'd put St. George on your list, along with a few reasons Scottsdale might be the better choice.

1. Can You Get More House for Your Money in St. George?

This is usually where the conversation begins.

Scottsdale has a strong luxury-home market, and many of its neighborhoods reflect that in their prices.

St. George offers a different mix of housing choices.

You'll find established neighborhoods in Bloomington, newer homes in Washington Fields and Little Valley, master-planned communities like Desert Color, and custom desert homes in places like Kayenta and Entrada.

But here's something important.

You can't compare median home prices and assume one city offers a better deal on every house.

You need to compare similar properties.

What does your budget buy in each city? What are the property taxes, insurance costs, HOA fees, and utilities?

And what kind of lifestyle comes with that particular home?

That's the comparison I'd want to make before deciding.

2. Does St. George Feel Less Crowded Than Scottsdale?

Scottsdale is part of the much larger Phoenix metropolitan area.

St. George is a smaller city, and everyday life generally has a different pace.

Now, don't misunderstand me.

We've got traffic.

River Road gets busy. St. George Boulevard gets busy. And Southern Utah has experienced tremendous growth.

If you've lived here for 40 years, you probably have some strong opinions about that.

But someone moving from Scottsdale or Phoenix may find St. George's scale appealing.

And there are practical considerations.

Where will you shop? How far is the airport? What medical services do you need? How close do you want to be to restaurants and entertainment?

Scottsdale has advantages that come with being part of a major metropolitan area.

St. George has advantages that come with being smaller.

Neither is automatically better.

It depends on what you want your Tuesday afternoon to look like.

3. Is Outdoor Recreation Better in St. George?

Now we're talking.

I've been mountain biking in Southern Utah for decades. I started riding the Zen Trail in 1996 and spent eight years coaching the Dixie Flyers high school mountain bike team.

I've also skied 35 seasons at Brian Head.

So yes, I've got some opinions about our outdoor recreation.

We've got Snow Canyon State Park, Zion National Park, and an unbelievable network of hiking and mountain biking trails.

Zen. Bearclaw Poppy. Paradise Rim. Gem.

If you want a completely different environment, head to the higher elevations around Brian Head.

Scottsdale also has excellent outdoor recreation, especially around the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

But what I particularly love about Southern Utah is the variety.

You can spend one day riding desert singletrack and another enjoying mountain scenery at significantly higher elevations.

That's a pretty phenomenal combination.

4. Is St. George Cooler Than Scottsdale?

Yes, particularly during summer nights.

But please don't confuse that with St. George being cool in July.

It's hot.

Very hot.

And I have a rule for people considering a move here.

Spend five days in St. George between July 1 and August 31 before you buy.

Experience the actual summer.

Here's where the climate comparison gets interesting.

According to NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals, Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport averages a July daily minimum temperature of 84.5°F.

That's a Phoenix-area reference point, rather than a temperature reading for every Scottsdale neighborhood.

St. George generally experiences cooler summer nights, thanks in part to its higher elevation and different geographic setting.

And then there's winter.

Scottsdale typically has warmer winter temperatures, which can be a big advantage if your main goal is escaping cold weather.

St. George has cooler winters and more seasonal variation.

Personally, I think October 15 through November 15 is about as good as weather gets anywhere.

November here is magic.

But I'd want you to experience both cities in different seasons before making a major move.

5. Does St. George Have More of a Hometown Feel?

This one's personal.

I was born in St. George in 1975. My dad was born here in 1941, when the town had about 2,500 people.

I've watched neighborhoods appear where open desert used to be.

And yes, I sometimes miss parts of the old St. George.

But I still absolutely love things about this community.

Our real estate office is at Legacy Corner in downtown St. George.

That building used to be Cameo Florist, and I bought a corsage there when I was a junior in high school.

Years later, we ended up owning the building and making it our office.

How cool is that?

I love having those connections to the town.

Now, Scottsdale has plenty of its own history and character, particularly in Old Town.

But if you like a smaller community where local traditions and familiar places are part of everyday life, St. George is worth exploring.

Just understand that we're growing.

And we're going to keep growing.

When Is Scottsdale a Better Choice?

Let's give Scottsdale the credit it deserves.

If you want a major metropolitan job market, extensive dining and shopping options, access to a large international airport, or warmer winters, Scottsdale has some meaningful advantages.

St. George also has challenges.

Housing affordability is a concern. Growth puts pressure on roads and infrastructure. Water planning matters.

And our communities aren't interchangeable.

St. George, Ivins, Washington, and Santa Clara may blend together geographically, but utility providers, ordinances, and neighborhood requirements can be different.

So I won't tell you to pack up and move to Utah just because I happen to love it here.

I want you to compare the two places carefully.

Which St. George Neighborhoods Should Scottsdale Buyers Explore?

If you like the desert architecture and setting in certain Scottsdale communities, add Kayenta and Entrada to your list.

For newer homes, explore Washington Fields, Little Valley, and Desert Color.

And don't overlook established neighborhoods like Bloomington or the character of downtown St. George.

These communities aren't identical, and that's the point.

Spend time driving around.

Walk through some homes.

Visit downtown.

Get out on the trails.

Find the place that feels right before getting too attached to a particular house.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is St. George less expensive than Scottsdale?

St. George generally offers a different housing-price mix, but affordability depends on the neighborhoods and properties you're comparing. Review current comparable sales and total ownership costs before making a decision.

Is St. George as hot as Scottsdale?

Both cities have very hot summers, but the Phoenix-Scottsdale area generally experiences hotter nights. Scottsdale typically has warmer winters.

Is St. George a good place to retire?

It can be a fantastic choice for people who enjoy golf, outdoor recreation, and a smaller-city setting. Consider healthcare, transportation, housing costs, and proximity to family.

Should I move to St. George or Scottsdale?

Start with your lifestyle, budget, and priorities. Scottsdale offers major-city conveniences, while St. George offers a smaller community with access to remarkable Southern Utah recreation.

So, Would You Choose St. George or Scottsdale?

I've spent my life watching Southern Utah grow, and I still think we've got something special here.

But deciding where to live is a big deal.

And the best choice depends on how you want to spend your time, what you want from your community, and what makes financial sense.

So here's my question.

If you could choose between St. George and Scottsdale tomorrow, what would matter most to you?

If St. George is on your list, reach out to me through GoStGeorge.com.

I'll help you explore the neighborhoods, understand the differences, and figure out whether Southern Utah is a good fit.

And if Scottsdale is the better choice for you, I'll tell you that too.

Onward and upward,

Jeremy Larkin
The Larkin Group | KW Realty
St. George, Utah