Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Detroit +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Detroit
11.7%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Detroit +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Detroit +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 71,542 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.9 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 4.2% | Detroit + |
| White | 11.7% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 76.8% | 6.7% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.4% | Detroit + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 7.7% | Detroit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
St. Charles
$55,578
St. Charles +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
St. Charles
$31,499
St. Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
St. Charles
$58,527
St. Charles +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
St. Charles
18.7%
St. Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
St. Charles
22.7%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $55,578 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $31,499 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,527 | St. Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 18.7% | St. Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 22.7% | St. Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
St. Charles
$144,200
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $144,200 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Detroit, MI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 501 | Detroit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2418 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 35.9% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 18.4% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
St. Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
St. Charles
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | St. Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Charles leads in median household income at $55,578, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Detroit is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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, St. Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
Compare More Cities
Detroit, MI vs New York, NYDetroit, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Detroit, MIDetroit, MI vs Houston, TXDetroit, MI vs Phoenix, AZDetroit, MI vs Philadelphia, PA