Indianapolis IN 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)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
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
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 71,542 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 37.9 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 4.2% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 53.6% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 28.1% | 6.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 1.4% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 7.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Indianapolis +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $55,578 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $31,499 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $58,527 | Indianapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 18.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 22.7% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 501 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2418 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
St. Charles
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
St. Charles
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
St. Charles
7.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
St. Charles
12.5%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
St. Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
St. Charles
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | St. Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 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).
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