St. Marys, GA vs Stone Mountain, GA

St. Marys, GA and Stone Mountain, GA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.4% difference in their overall index. St. Marys scores 90 while Stone Mountain scores 92 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in St. Marys is $1,171/month compared to $1,369/month in Stone Mountain — a 15% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while St. Marys has cheaper rent, Stone Mountain actually has lower median home values ($190,700 vs $259,300).

Median household income in St. Marys is $67,271 compared to $49,661 in Stone Mountain (+35.5%). St. Marys offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of St. Marys spend roughly 20.9% of their income on rent, less than the 33.1% in Stone Mountain. The St. Marys ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.