Kansas City KS 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)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
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
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 71,542 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.9 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 4.2% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 20.4% | 6.7% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 1.4% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 7.7% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Kansas City +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
St. Charles
$31,499
St. Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
St. Charles
22.7%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $55,578 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $31,499 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $58,527 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 18.7% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 22.7% | St. Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 501 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2418 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 35.9% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 18.4% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kansas City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $59,183, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
Compare More Cities
Kansas City, KS vs New York, NYKansas City, KS vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Kansas City, KSHouston, TX vs Kansas City, KSKansas City, KS vs Phoenix, AZKansas City, KS vs Philadelphia, PA