Raleigh NC 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)
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
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
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
St. George
99,184
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
St. George
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
St. George
37.9
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
St. George
7.4%
White
Raleigh
53.8%
St. George
85.0%
St. George +
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
St. George
0.6%
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
St. George
1.2%
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
St. George
12.7%
Tie
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
St. George
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 99,184 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.9 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 7.4% | Raleigh + |
| White | 53.8% | 85.0% | St. George + |
| Black | 27.5% | 0.6% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 1.2% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 12.7% | Tie |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
St. George
$72,870
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
St. George
$36,254
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
St. George
$60,713
St. George +
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
St. George
3.5%
St. George +
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
St. George
11.3%
St. George +
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
St. George
34.1%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $72,870 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $36,254 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $60,713 | St. George + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.5% | St. George + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 11.3% | St. George + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 34.1% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
St. George
$456,900
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
St. George
68.2%
St. George +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $456,900 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 68.2% | St. George + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
St. George
245
St. George +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
St. George
1931
St. George +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 245 | St. George + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1931 | St. George + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
St. George
32.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
St. George
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
St. George
16.0%
St. George +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
St. George
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
St. George
9.7%
St. George +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
St. George
7.9%
St. George +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 32.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 10.6% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 16.0% | St. George + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.9% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.7% | St. George + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 7.9% | St. George + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
St. George
63.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
St. George
8.8 in
St. George +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | 63.9°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 8.8 in | St. George + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
St. George
7.0 µg/m³
St. George +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
St. George
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | St. George + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
St. George
17.9 min
St. George +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 17.9 min | St. George + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, St. George is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Raleigh. 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, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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