Montgomery AL 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)
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Montgomery +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Montgomery
27.7%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
St. Charles
7.7%
St. Charles +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 71,542 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.9 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 4.2% | Montgomery + |
| White | 27.7% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 63.0% | 6.7% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 1.4% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 7.7% | St. Charles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Montgomery +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
St. Charles
$58,527
St. Charles +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
St. Charles
18.7%
St. Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $55,578 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $31,499 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,527 | St. Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 18.7% | St. Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 22.7% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 501 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2418 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 35.9% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 18.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Montgomery + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Montgomery leads in median household income at $55,687, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Montgomery is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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