Saint Paul MN 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)
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
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
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Saint Paul
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Saint Paul
53.2%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Saint Paul
9.1%
Saint Paul +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Saint Paul
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 71,542 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.9 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 4.2% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 53.2% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 16.2% | 6.7% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 17.9% | 1.4% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 7.7% | Saint Paul + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Saint Paul
4.9%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,055 | $55,578 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,594 | $31,499 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $58,527 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.5% | 22.7% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Saint Paul
$297,021
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Saint Paul
53.2%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,021 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 501 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2418 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
St. Charles
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Saint Paul
N/A
St. Charles
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
St. Charles
7.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
St. Charles
12.5%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.1% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 18.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Saint Paul
75.0%
Saint Paul +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Saint Paul + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Saint Paul
24.1 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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