Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
St. George
99,184
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
St. George
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
St. George
37.9
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
St. George
7.4%
White
Gainesville
59.2%
St. George
85.0%
St. George +
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
St. George
0.6%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
St. George
1.2%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
St. George
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
St. George
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 99,184 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 37.9 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 7.4% | Gainesville + |
| White | 59.2% | 85.0% | St. George + |
| Black | 21.6% | 0.6% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 1.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 12.7% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
St. George
$72,870
St. George +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
St. George
$36,254
St. George +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
St. George
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
St. George
3.5%
St. George +
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
St. George
11.3%
St. George +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
St. George
34.1%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $72,870 | St. George + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $36,254 | St. George + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $60,713 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 3.5% | St. George + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 11.3% | St. George + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 34.1% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
St. George
$456,900
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
St. George
68.2%
St. George +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $456,900 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 68.2% | St. George + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
St. George
245
St. George +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
St. George
1931
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 245 | St. George + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1931 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
St. George
32.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
St. George
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
St. George
16.0%
St. George +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
St. George
10.9%
St. George +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
St. George
9.7%
St. George +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
St. George
7.9%
St. George +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 32.9% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 10.6% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 16.0% | St. George + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.9% | St. George + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 9.7% | St. George + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 7.9% | St. George + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
St. George
63.9°F
St. George +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
St. George
8.8 in
St. George +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 63.9°F | St. George + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 8.8 in | St. George + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
St. George
7.0 µg/m³
St. George +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
St. George
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | St. George + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
St. George
17.9 min
St. George +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 17.9 min | St. George + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. George leads in median household income at $72,870, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, St. George is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Gainesville. 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, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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