Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Atlanta +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Atlanta
39.9%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
St. Charles
7.7%
St. Charles +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 71,542 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.9 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 4.2% | Atlanta + |
| White | 39.9% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 46.9% | 6.7% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 1.4% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 7.7% | St. Charles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
St. Charles
$58,527
St. Charles +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $55,578 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $31,499 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,527 | St. Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 18.7% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 22.7% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 501 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2418 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
St. Charles
12.5%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 35.9% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 18.4% | Atlanta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.5% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
St. Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
St. Charles
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Atlanta 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). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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