Richmond VA 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)
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Richmond
43.2%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
Richmond +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 71,542 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.9 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 4.2% | Richmond + |
| White | 43.2% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 42.0% | 6.7% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.4% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 7.7% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
St. Charles
18.7%
St. Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | $55,578 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | $31,499 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $58,527 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 18.7% | St. Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 22.7% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Richmond +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Richmond, VA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 501 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2418 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
36.7%
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 35.9% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 18.4% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
23.6 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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