Grand Rapids 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)
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
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
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 71,542 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 37.9 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 4.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 61.0% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 17.9% | 6.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 1.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 7.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
St. Charles
$58,527
St. Charles +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $55,578 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $31,499 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,527 | St. Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 18.7% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 22.7% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Grand Rapids +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 501 | Grand Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2418 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
St. Charles
10.4%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Grand Rapids +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 35.9% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.4% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 18.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
St. Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
St. Charles
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Rapids, 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
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Grand Rapids 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%.
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