Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
St. George
99,184
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
St. George
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
St. George
37.9
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
St. George
7.4%
White
Houston
35.5%
St. George
85.0%
St. George +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
St. George
0.6%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
St. George
1.2%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
St. George
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
St. George
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 99,184 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.9 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 7.4% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 85.0% | St. George + |
| Black | 22.9% | 0.6% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 1.2% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 12.7% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
St. George
$72,870
St. George +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
St. George
$36,254
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
St. George
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
St. George
3.5%
St. George +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
St. George
11.3%
St. George +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
St. George
34.1%
| Metric | Houston, TX | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $72,870 | St. George + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $36,254 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $60,713 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 3.5% | St. George + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 11.3% | St. George + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 34.1% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
St. George
$456,900
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
St. George
68.2%
St. George +
| Metric | Houston, TX | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $456,900 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 68.2% | St. George + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
St. George
245
St. George +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
St. George
1931
St. George +
| Metric | Houston, TX | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 245 | St. George + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1931 | St. George + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
St. George
32.9%
St. George +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
St. George
10.6%
St. George +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
St. George
16.0%
St. George +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
St. George
10.9%
St. George +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
St. George
9.7%
St. George +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
St. George
7.9%
St. George +
| Metric | Houston, TX | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 32.9% | St. George + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.6% | St. George + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 16.0% | St. George + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 10.9% | St. George + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 9.7% | St. George + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 7.9% | St. George + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
St. George
63.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
St. George
8.8 in
St. George +
| Metric | Houston, TX | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 8.8 in | St. George + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
St. George
7.0 µg/m³
St. George +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
St. George
75.0%
St. George +
| Metric | Houston, TX | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | St. George + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | St. George + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
St. George
17.9 min
St. George +
| Metric | Houston, TX | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 17.9 min | St. George + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. George leads in median household income at $72,870, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, St. George is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. 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%.
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