San Diego CA 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)
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
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
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
St. George
99,184
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Diego
N/A
St. George
N/A
Median Age
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
St. George
37.9
Foreign Born
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
St. George
7.4%
White
San Diego
50.4%
St. George
85.0%
St. George +
Black
San Diego
5.7%
San Diego +
St. George
0.6%
Asian
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
St. George
1.2%
Hispanic
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
St. George
12.7%
Spanish at Home
San Diego
N/A
St. George
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 99,184 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 37.9 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 24.8% | 7.4% | San Diego + |
| White | 50.4% | 85.0% | St. George + |
| Black | 5.7% | 0.6% | San Diego + |
| Asian | 17.6% | 1.2% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 12.7% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
St. George
$72,870
Per Capita Income
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
St. George
$36,254
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
St. George
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
San Diego
5.9%
St. George
3.5%
St. George +
Poverty Rate
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
St. George
11.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
St. George
34.1%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,321 | $72,870 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,678 | $36,254 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.5% | St. George + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | 11.3% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.9% | 34.1% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Diego
$1,006,261
St. George
$456,900
St. George +
Homeownership Rate
San Diego
47.6%
St. George
68.2%
St. George +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,006,261 | $456,900 | St. George + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 68.2% | St. George + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
503
St. George
245
St. George +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
2388
St. George
1931
St. George +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 245 | St. George + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1931 | St. George + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
St. George
32.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
St. George
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Diego
16.5%
St. George
16.0%
St. George +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
St. George
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Diego
16.9%
St. George
9.7%
St. George +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.3%
St. George
7.9%
St. George +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 32.9% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 10.6% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 16.0% | St. George + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 10.9% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 9.7% | St. George + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 7.9% | St. George + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
61.6°F
San Diego +
St. George
63.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
12.3 in
St. George
8.8 in
St. George +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6°F | 63.9°F | San Diego + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 8.8 in | St. George + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
St. George
7.0 µg/m³
St. George +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Diego
75.0%
St. George
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Diego, CA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | St. George + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Diego
25.9 min
St. George
17.9 min
St. George +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.9 min | 17.9 min | St. George + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, while st. George offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $456,900. On public safety, St. George is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Diego. 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, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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