Columbia MO 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)
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
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
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
St. George
99,184
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
St. George
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
St. George
37.9
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Columbia +
St. George
7.4%
White
Columbia
74.3%
St. George
85.0%
St. George +
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
St. George
0.6%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
St. George
1.2%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
St. George
12.7%
St. George +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
St. George
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 99,184 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 37.9 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 7.4% | Columbia + |
| White | 74.3% | 85.0% | St. George + |
| Black | 12.1% | 0.6% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 1.2% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 12.7% | St. George + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
St. George
$72,870
St. George +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
St. George
$36,254
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
St. George
$60,713
St. George +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
St. George
3.5%
St. George +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
St. George
11.3%
St. George +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
St. George
34.1%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $72,870 | St. George + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $36,254 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $60,713 | St. George + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 3.5% | St. George + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 11.3% | St. George + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 34.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
St. George
$456,900
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
St. George
68.2%
St. George +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $456,900 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 68.2% | St. George + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
St. George
245
St. George +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
St. George
1931
St. George +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 245 | St. George + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1931 | St. George + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
St. George
32.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
St. George
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
St. George
16.0%
St. George +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
St. George
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
St. George
9.7%
St. George +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
St. George
7.9%
St. George +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 32.9% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 10.6% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.0% | St. George + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 10.9% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 9.7% | St. George + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 7.9% | St. George + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
St. George
63.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
St. George
8.8 in
St. George +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 63.9°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 8.8 in | St. George + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
St. George
7.0 µg/m³
St. George +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
St. George
75.0%
St. George +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | St. George + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | St. George + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
St. George
17.9 min
St. George +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 17.9 min | St. George + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. George leads in median household income at $72,870, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, St. George is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. St. George has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and St. George has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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