Louisville KY 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)
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
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
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Louisville
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Louisville
37.7
Louisville +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Louisville
63.1%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Louisville
2.6%
Louisville +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Louisville
8.6%
Louisville +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Louisville
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 627,210 | 71,542 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.9 | Louisville + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 4.2% | Louisville + |
| White | 63.1% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 23.7% | 6.7% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.4% | Louisville + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 7.7% | Louisville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Louisville
$52,606
St. Charles
$58,527
St. Charles +
Unemployment Rate
Louisville
5.0%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,731 | $55,578 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,890 | $31,499 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $58,527 | St. Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.1% | 18.7% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.4% | 22.7% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Louisville
$264,957
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Louisville
60.6%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,957 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
223
Louisville +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Louisville, KY | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 501 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 2418 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
St. Charles
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Louisville
N/A
St. Charles
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
St. Charles
7.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
St. Charles
12.5%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | 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
Louisville
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
43.3 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Louisville
75.0%
Louisville +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Louisville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Louisville
24.2 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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