Columbus OH 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Columbus
53.3%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Columbus +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 71,542 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 37.9 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 4.2% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 29.0% | 6.7% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.4% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 7.7% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
St. Charles
$58,527
St. Charles +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $55,578 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $31,499 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,527 | St. Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 18.7% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 22.7% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Columbus, OH | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 501 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2418 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Columbus +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 35.9% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 18.4% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
St. Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
St. Charles
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, OH | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | St. Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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