Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Houston
35.5%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 71,542 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.9 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 4.2% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 22.9% | 6.7% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 1.4% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 7.7% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
St. Charles
18.7%
St. Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Houston, TX | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $55,578 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $31,499 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,527 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 18.7% | St. Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 22.7% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Houston, TX | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Houston, TX | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 501 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2418 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Houston, TX | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 35.9% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.4% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
St. Charles
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Houston, TX | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
Compare More Cities
Houston, TX vs New York, NYHouston, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Houston, TXHouston, TX vs Phoenix, AZHouston, TX vs Philadelphia, PAHouston, TX vs San Antonio, TX