Albany NY vs St. Charles MO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Albany +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Albany
53.0%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 71,542 | Albany + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 37.9 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 4.2% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 26.6% | 6.7% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 1.4% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 7.7% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Albany +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
St. Charles
18.7%
St. Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Albany, NY | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $55,578 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $31,499 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $58,527 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 18.7% | St. Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 22.7% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Albany, NY | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Albany, NY | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 501 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2418 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
St. Charles
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Albany +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
St. Charles
12.5%
| Metric | Albany, NY | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 35.9% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.4% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 18.4% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.5% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Albany +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Albany, NY | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albany + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Albany, NY | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albany leads in median household income at $59,485, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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