Flint 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)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
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
Flint
80,835
Flint +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Flint +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
St. Charles
4.2%
St. Charles +
White
Flint
34.4%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
St. Charles
1.4%
St. Charles +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
St. Charles
7.7%
St. Charles +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 71,542 | Flint + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.9 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 4.2% | St. Charles + |
| White | 34.4% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 56.6% | 6.7% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 1.4% | St. Charles + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 7.7% | St. Charles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
St. Charles
$55,578
St. Charles +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
St. Charles
$31,499
St. Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
St. Charles
$58,527
St. Charles +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
St. Charles
18.7%
St. Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
St. Charles
22.7%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Flint, MI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $55,578 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $31,499 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,527 | St. Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 18.7% | St. Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 22.7% | St. Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
St. Charles
$144,200
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Flint, MI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $144,200 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Flint +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Flint, MI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 501 | Flint + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2418 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Flint, MI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 35.9% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 18.4% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
St. Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
St. Charles
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Flint, 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
Flint
25.0 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Flint, MI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Charles leads in median household income at $55,578, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Flint 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
Flint, MI vs New York, NYFlint, MI vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Flint, MIFlint, MI vs Houston, TXFlint, MI vs Phoenix, AZFlint, MI vs Philadelphia, PA