St. George, UT Among U.S. Leaders in Home Sale Profit Growth in 2025

Good news if you own property in St. George or southern Utah: St. George is among the metros with the largest year-over-year jumps in home sale profit margins in Q3 2025. That’s not just a local win — it’s a headline-worthy performance on the national stage.

According to ATTOM’s Q3 2025 U.S. Home Sales Report, the largest annual increases in home sale profit margins came in these five metros:

• St. George, UT (from ~26.3% to ~37.2%)

• Gulfport, MS

• Augusta, SC

• Lexington, KY

• Dayton, OH  

That means among hundreds of U.S. metro areas tracked, St. George ranked at the top for profit margin growth — a signal to both sellers and prospective buyers that this market is pumping with momentum.

What Does “Profit Margin Increase” Mean?

When we talk about “profit margins” in home sales, we’re referring to the percentage difference between what a home originally sold for and what it resells for — after accounting for things like acquisition costs, improvements, and carrying expenses. So, a rise from ~26.3% to ~37.2% in St. George means sellers in 2025 are capturing a much larger share of upside than they did a year ago.

On a national scale, the median home sale generated a 49.9% profit in Q3 2025 (about $123,100 in raw profit) for single-family homes and condos.

But profit margin growth isn’t uniform across markets — and St. George’s standout performance suggests something structural is happening here.

Key Local Data for St. George — What Sellers & Buyers Should Know

To fully appreciate the opportunity (and challenges) in St. George, here are some of the most recent market indicators:

These numbers show that while prices have moderated or even dipped slightly in some months, the overall equity many sellers have built up is still substantial. Homes bought even 5-10 years ago are likely to see strong profits.

Why St. George Is Seeing This Surge in Seller Profits

Several local and regional factors are converging to turn St. George into a high-leverage seller’s market:

• Strong demand from migration and lifestyle appeal

Southern Utah offers a high quality of life — outdoor recreation, scenic surroundings, favorable tax climate — that draws buyers from high-cost metros like California, Las Vegas, and parts of the Wasatch Front. That inflow increases competition and pushes prices upward.

• Constrained supply/development challenges

New home construction in St. George is not scaling freely. Infrastructure costs, land use constraints, water rights, and permitting all slow supply responses. That makes existing homes more valuable.

• Master-planned communities lifting comps

Large developments like Desert Color, Red Cliffs Ranch, and others are introducing modern finishes, amenities, and branding that help drag neighboring areas upward in value.

• Compounding equity for long-term holders

Many homes in St. George were bought years ago when prices were much lower. As equity compounds over time, owners see greater gain when they sell now, especially as margins expand.

• Relative affordability vs. hyper-priced metros

While St. George’s values have risen, it still often undercuts ultra-expensive markets. Buyers chasing value see more “bang for their buck” here, which sustains demand.

How St. George Compares to Other High-Growth Metros

Let’s put the numbers in perspective:

Note: While Dayton’s margin is higher in absolute terms, their year-over-year jump was smaller than St. George’s. That means St. George is in the elite zone of fastest profit growth, not just high margins.

In terms of median listing price, Realtor.com reports St. George’s median list price in Q3 was $621,189, pulling in a strong average profit for homeowners in that market.

What This Means for Sellers in St. George & Southern Utah

If you're thinking about selling, now might be one of the best times in recent memory. Here’s how to lean into this momentum:

• Run a localized CMA: Because margin growth varies by neighborhood, run comps in your specific zone (Desert Color side, golf communities, older vs new subdivisions).

• Optimize for buyer appeal: Homes that are move-in ready with good staging tend to outperform in a high-demand market.

• Price strategically, not aggressively: Use market data and growth trends to support the price — don’t overshoot.

• Time it right: Spring/fall often bring more out-of-state traffic; listing during those windows can maximize exposure.

• Leverage marketing reach: Work with a team (like Red Sign) that can tap Utah-wide and out-of-state buyer pipelines, not just local leads.

What Buyers Need to Know — How to Compete in This Environment

Rising seller profits means buyers must be sharper. Here’s how to stay competitive in St. George:

• Get fully preapproved (not just prequalified) — speed is critical.

• Watch new inventory closely — many of the high-demand homes are snapped quickly.

• Be flexible with contingencies — sometimes small compromises win deals.

• Consider slightly older homes or those needing cosmetic refreshing — you might get more value there.

• Partner with a local-savvy agent who understands St. George’s micro-markets and growth patterns.

Risks & Things to Watch in the Market

No boom lasts forever, so keep an eye on:

• Mortgage rates rising suddenly — that can cool buyer demand.

• Large influx of new builds — if a big subdivision delivers many homes at once, supply could tighten margins.

• Economic or policy shifts — changes in water policy, zoning, or state incentives might ripple into housing demand.

• Overheating in specific neighborhoods — some areas may become saturated faster than others.

 Bottom Line

By posting one of the largest annual profit margin increases in Q3 2025, St. George is proving it’s not just riding national trends — it’s leading them. For sellers, that means potential equity gains. For buyers, it means the need to be strategic and fast.