Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Baltimore +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 71,542 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 37.9 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 4.2% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 60.0% | 6.7% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.4% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 7.7% | Baltimore + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Baltimore +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
St. Charles
18.7%
St. Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $55,578 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $31,499 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $58,527 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 18.7% | St. Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 22.7% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 501 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 2418 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 35.9% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 18.4% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baltimore leads in median household income at $59,623, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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