Kansas City MO 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
508,233
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
35.7
Kansas City +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Kansas City
57.8%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 71,542 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.9 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 4.2% | Kansas City + |
| White | 57.8% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 25.8% | 6.7% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.4% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 7.7% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
St. Charles
$58,527
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $55,578 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $31,499 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $58,527 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 18.7% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 22.7% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
St. Charles
501
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
St. Charles
2418
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 501 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2418 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 35.9% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.4% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
St. Charles
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, St. Charles is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. 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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