St. George UT vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
St. George
99,184
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. George
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
St. George
37.9
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
St. George
7.4%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
St. George
85.0%
St. George +
Waco
54.0%
Black
St. George
0.6%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
St. George
1.2%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
St. George
12.7%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
St. George
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | St. George, UT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,184 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 85.0% | 54.0% | St. George + |
| Black | 0.6% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. George
$72,870
St. George +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
St. George
$36,254
St. George +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. George
$60,713
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
St. George
3.5%
St. George +
Waco
4.4%
Poverty Rate
St. George
11.3%
St. George +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
St. George
34.1%
St. George +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | St. George, UT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,870 | $51,468 | St. George + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,254 | $28,819 | St. George + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 4.4% | St. George + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 24.0% | St. George + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.1% | 28.6% | St. George + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. George
$456,900
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
St. George
68.2%
St. George +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | St. George, UT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $456,900 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 48.9% | St. George + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. George
245
St. George +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. George
1931
St. George +
Waco
2339
| Metric | St. George, UT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 442 | St. George + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2339 | St. George + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. George
32.9%
St. George +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. George
10.6%
St. George +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. George
16.0%
St. George +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. George
10.9%
St. George +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. George
9.7%
St. George +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. George
7.9%
St. George +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | St. George, UT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 36.8% | St. George + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.0% | St. George + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 20.4% | St. George + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 20.4% | St. George + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 16.2% | St. George + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 15.1% | St. George + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. George
63.9°F
St. George +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. George
8.8 in
St. George +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | St. George, UT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 66.6°F | St. George + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.8 in | 36.4 in | St. George + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
St. George
7.0 µg/m³
St. George +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. George
75.0%
St. George +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | St. George, UT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | St. George + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | St. George + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
St. George
17.9 min
St. George +
Waco
19.7 min
| Metric | St. George, UT | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.9 min | 19.7 min | St. George + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. George leads in median household income at $72,870, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, St. George is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. 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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