Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Athens +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Athens
57.6%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 71,542 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 37.9 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 4.2% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 26.2% | 6.7% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 1.4% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 7.7% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
St. Charles
$55,578
St. Charles +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Athens +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
St. Charles
$58,527
St. Charles +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
St. Charles
18.7%
St. Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Athens, GA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $55,578 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $31,499 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,527 | St. Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 18.7% | St. Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 22.7% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Athens, GA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Athens, GA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 501 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2418 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
St. Charles
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
St. Charles
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
St. Charles
7.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
St. Charles
12.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
St. Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
St. Charles
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | St. Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Athens, GA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Charles leads in median household income at $55,578, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and St. Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³).
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