Colorado Springs CO 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)
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Colorado Springs +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
St. Charles
6.7%
St. Charles +
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Colorado Springs +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 71,542 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 37.9 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 4.2% | Colorado Springs + |
| White | 72.3% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 5.8% | 6.7% | St. Charles + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 1.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 7.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $55,578 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $31,499 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $58,527 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 18.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 22.7% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
St. Charles
501
St. Charles +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
St. Charles
2418
St. Charles +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 501 | St. Charles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2418 | St. Charles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
St. Charles
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Colorado Springs +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
St. Charles
12.5%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 35.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 10.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 18.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 12.5% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Colorado Springs +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, St. Charles is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Colorado Springs. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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