Columbus GA 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)
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
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
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
St. George
99,184
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
St. George
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
St. George
37.9
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
St. George
7.4%
St. George +
White
Columbus
39.3%
St. George
85.0%
St. George +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
St. George
0.6%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Columbus +
St. George
1.2%
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
St. George
12.7%
St. George +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
St. George
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 99,184 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.9 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 7.4% | St. George + |
| White | 39.3% | 85.0% | St. George + |
| Black | 46.7% | 0.6% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.2% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 12.7% | St. George + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
St. George
$72,870
St. George +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
St. George
$36,254
St. George +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
St. George
$60,713
St. George +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
St. George
3.5%
St. George +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
St. George
11.3%
St. George +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
St. George
34.1%
St. George +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $72,870 | St. George + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $36,254 | St. George + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $60,713 | St. George + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 3.5% | St. George + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 11.3% | St. George + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 34.1% | St. George + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
St. George
$456,900
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
St. George
68.2%
St. George +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $456,900 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 68.2% | St. George + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
St. George
245
St. George +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
St. George
1931
| Metric | Columbus, GA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 245 | St. George + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1931 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
St. George
32.9%
St. George +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
St. George
10.6%
St. George +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
St. George
16.0%
St. George +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
St. George
10.9%
St. George +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
St. George
9.7%
St. George +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
St. George
7.9%
St. George +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 32.9% | St. George + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 10.6% | St. George + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.0% | St. George + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 10.9% | St. George + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.7% | St. George + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 7.9% | St. George + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
St. George
63.9°F
St. George +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
St. George
8.8 in
St. George +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 63.9°F | St. George + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 8.8 in | St. George + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
St. George
7.0 µg/m³
St. George +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
St. George
75.0%
St. George +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | St. George + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | St. George + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
St. George
17.9 min
St. George +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 17.9 min | St. George + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. George leads in median household income at $72,870, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, St. George is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. 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, St. George scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
Compare More Cities
Columbus, GA vs New York, NYColumbus, GA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbus, GAColumbus, GA vs Houston, TXColumbus, GA vs Phoenix, AZColumbus, GA vs Philadelphia, PA