Boise ID vs St. George UT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
St. George, UT
Utah · Population: 99,184
- Median HH Income$72,870
- Median Home Price$456,900
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Boise +
St. George
99,184
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
St. George
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
St. George
37.9
St. George +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
St. George
7.4%
St. George +
White
Boise
83.6%
St. George
85.0%
St. George +
Black
Boise
1.4%
Boise +
St. George
0.6%
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
St. George
1.2%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
St. George
12.7%
St. George +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
St. George
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 99,184 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.9 | St. George + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 7.4% | St. George + |
| White | 83.6% | 85.0% | St. George + |
| Black | 1.4% | 0.6% | Boise + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 1.2% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 12.7% | St. George + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
St. George
$72,870
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
St. George
$36,254
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
St. George
$60,713
St. George +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
St. George
3.5%
St. George +
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
St. George
11.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
St. George
34.1%
| Metric | Boise, ID | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $72,870 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $36,254 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $60,713 | St. George + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 3.5% | St. George + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 11.3% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 34.1% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
St. George
$456,900
St. George +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
St. George
68.2%
St. George +
| Metric | Boise, ID | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $456,900 | St. George + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 68.2% | St. George + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
St. George
245
St. George +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
St. George
1931
| Metric | Boise, ID | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 245 | St. George + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1931 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
St. George
32.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
St. George
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
St. George
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
St. George
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
St. George
9.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
St. George
7.9%
| Metric | Boise, ID | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 32.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
St. George
63.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
St. George
8.8 in
St. George +
| Metric | Boise, ID | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 63.9°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 8.8 in | St. George + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
St. George
7.0 µg/m³
St. George +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
St. George
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | St. George + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
St. George
17.9 min
St. George +
| Metric | Boise, ID | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 17.9 min | St. George + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while st. George offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $456,900. On public safety, St. George is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 251 in Boise. St. George has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and St. George has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³).
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