Fresno CA 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Fresno
38.0%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
St. Charles
6.7%
Tie
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 71,542 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.9 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 4.2% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 6.7% | 6.7% | Tie |
| Asian | 14.2% | 1.4% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 7.7% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
St. Charles
$31,499
St. Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
St. Charles
18.7%
St. Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Fresno +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $55,578 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $31,499 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 18.7% | St. Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 22.7% | Fresno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
St. Charles
501
St. Charles +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Fresno +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Fresno, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | St. Charles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | Fresno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 35.9% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 18.4% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, 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 503 in Fresno. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
Compare More Cities
Fresno, CA vs New York, NYFresno, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fresno, CAFresno, CA vs Houston, TXFresno, CA vs Phoenix, AZFresno, CA vs Philadelphia, PA