Milwaukee WI 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)
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
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
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 71,542 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 37.9 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 4.2% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 36.5% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 38.6% | 6.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 1.4% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 7.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
St. Charles
$55,578
St. Charles +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
St. Charles
$31,499
St. Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
St. Charles
18.7%
St. Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Milwaukee +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $55,578 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $31,499 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $58,527 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 18.7% | St. Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 22.7% | Milwaukee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 501 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2418 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 35.9% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.4% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
St. Charles
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | 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
Milwaukee
24.1 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Charles leads in median household income at $55,578, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 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). For overall health outcomes, St. Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
Compare More Cities
Milwaukee, WI vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Milwaukee, WIChicago, IL vs Milwaukee, WIHouston, TX vs Milwaukee, WIMilwaukee, WI vs Phoenix, AZMilwaukee, WI vs Philadelphia, PA