Mesa AZ 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)
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
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
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
St. George
99,184
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
St. George
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
St. George
37.9
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
St. George
7.4%
White
Mesa
69.7%
St. George
85.0%
St. George +
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Mesa +
St. George
0.6%
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Mesa +
St. George
1.2%
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
St. George
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
St. George
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 99,184 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.9 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 7.4% | Mesa + |
| White | 69.7% | 85.0% | St. George + |
| Black | 4.4% | 0.6% | Mesa + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.2% | Mesa + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 12.7% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
St. George
$72,870
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
St. George
$36,254
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
St. George
$60,713
St. George +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
St. George
3.5%
St. George +
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
St. George
11.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
St. George
34.1%
St. George +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $72,870 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $36,254 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $60,713 | St. George + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.5% | St. George + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 11.3% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 34.1% | St. George + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
St. George
$456,900
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
St. George
68.2%
St. George +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $456,900 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 68.2% | St. George + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
St. George
245
St. George +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
St. George
1931
St. George +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 245 | St. George + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1931 | St. George + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
St. George
32.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
St. George
10.6%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
St. George
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
St. George
10.9%
St. George +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
St. George
9.7%
St. George +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
St. George
7.9%
St. George +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 32.9% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.6% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.0% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.9% | St. George + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 9.7% | St. George + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.9% | St. George + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
St. George
63.9°F
St. George +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
St. George
8.8 in
St. George +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 63.9°F | St. George + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 8.8 in | St. George + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
St. George
7.0 µg/m³
St. George +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
St. George
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | St. George + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
St. George
17.9 min
St. George +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 17.9 min | St. George + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, St. George is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. 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, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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