Grand Island NE 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)

Grand Island, NE

Nebraska · Population: N/A

  • Median HH IncomeN/A
  • Median Home Price$254,245
  • UnemploymentN/A
  • Bachelor's+N/A

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
Grand Island
N/A
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Grand Island
N/A
St. Charles
80.4%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
St. Charles
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Grand Island +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
St. Charles
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
St. Charles
22.7%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
St. Charles
61.4%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Grand Island +
St. Charles
2418

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
St. Charles
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
St. Charles
18.4%
St. Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
St. Charles
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Grand Island +
St. Charles
55.0%

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
St. Charles
18.3 min

Which City is Right for You?

St. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.

Compare More Cities

About Grand Island & St. Charles