Phoenix AZ 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)
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
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
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Phoenix
53.7%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 71,542 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 37.9 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 4.2% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.7% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 7.8% | 6.7% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 1.4% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 7.7% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $55,578 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $31,499 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,527 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 18.7% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 22.7% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 501 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2418 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
St. Charles
12.5%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 35.9% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.4% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.5% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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