St. George UT vs Surprise AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
St. George, UT
Utah · Population: 99,184
- Median HH Income$72,870
- Median Home Price$456,900
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
St. George
99,184
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. George
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
St. George
37.9
St. George +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
St. George
7.4%
St. George +
Surprise
6.8%
White
St. George
85.0%
St. George +
Surprise
75.0%
Black
St. George
0.6%
Surprise
4.8%
Surprise +
Asian
St. George
1.2%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
St. George
12.7%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
St. George
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | St. George, UT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,184 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 41.6 | St. George + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 6.8% | St. George + |
| White | 85.0% | 75.0% | St. George + |
| Black | 0.6% | 4.8% | Surprise + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.6% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. George
$72,870
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
St. George
$36,254
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. George
$60,713
St. George +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
St. George
3.5%
St. George +
Surprise
4.2%
Poverty Rate
St. George
11.3%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
St. George
34.1%
St. George +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | St. George, UT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,870 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,254 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $59,120 | St. George + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.2% | St. George + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.1% | 31.0% | St. George + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. George
$456,900
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
St. George
68.2%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | St. George, UT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $456,900 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. George
245
St. George +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. George
1931
St. George +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | St. George, UT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 450 | St. George + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2150 | St. George + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. George
32.9%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. George
10.6%
St. George +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. George
16.0%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. George
10.9%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. George
9.7%
St. George +
Surprise
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. George
7.9%
St. George +
Surprise
10.4%
| Metric | St. George, UT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.2% | St. George + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 14.9% | St. George + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 10.4% | St. George + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. George
63.9°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. George
8.8 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | St. George, UT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
St. George
7.0 µg/m³
St. George +
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. George
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | St. George, UT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | St. George + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
St. George
17.9 min
St. George +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | St. George, UT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.9 min | 32.8 min | St. George + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, St. George is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Surprise. 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, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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