Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
St. Charles
37.9
St. Charles +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Boise +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
St. Charles
80.4%
Black
Boise
1.4%
St. Charles
6.7%
St. Charles +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 71,542 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.9 | St. Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 4.2% | Boise + |
| White | 83.6% | 80.4% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 6.7% | St. Charles + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 1.4% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 7.7% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
St. Charles
$58,527
St. Charles +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
St. Charles
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Boise, ID | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $55,578 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $31,499 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $58,527 | St. Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.7% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 18.7% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 22.7% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
St. Charles
61.4%
| Metric | Boise, ID | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 61.4% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Boise, ID | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 501 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2418 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
St. Charles
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
St. Charles
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
St. Charles
7.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
St. Charles
12.5%
| Metric | Boise, ID | 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
Boise
49.9°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Boise, ID | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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