Huntsville AL 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)
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
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
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Huntsville +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Huntsville
58.4%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Huntsville +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Huntsville +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 71,542 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.9 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 4.2% | Huntsville + |
| White | 58.4% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 29.7% | 6.7% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.4% | Huntsville + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 7.7% | Huntsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
St. Charles
$58,527
St. Charles +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
St. Charles
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $55,578 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $31,499 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,527 | St. Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.7% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 18.7% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 22.7% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 501 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2418 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 35.9% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 18.4% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Huntsville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Huntsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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