Rochester NY 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)
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Rochester
41.5%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 71,542 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.9 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 4.2% | Rochester + |
| White | 41.5% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 37.5% | 6.7% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 1.4% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 7.7% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
St. Charles
$55,578
St. Charles +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
St. Charles
$31,499
St. Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
St. Charles
18.7%
St. Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Rochester, NY | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $55,578 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $31,499 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $58,527 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 18.7% | St. Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 22.7% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Rochester +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Rochester, NY | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 501 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2418 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 35.9% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.4% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Rochester, NY | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 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, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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