San Jose CA 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)
San Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
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
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Jose
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
San Jose
38.1
St. Charles
37.9
St. Charles +
Foreign Born
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
San Jose
29.0%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
San Jose
2.9%
St. Charles
6.7%
St. Charles +
Asian
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
San Jose
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | San Jose, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 990,054 | 71,542 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 37.9 | St. Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 41.6% | 4.2% | San Jose + |
| White | 29.0% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 2.9% | 6.7% | St. Charles + |
| Asian | 38.6% | 1.4% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 30.9% | 7.7% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
St. Charles
4.7%
Poverty Rate
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | San Jose, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $141,565 | $55,578 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $63,253 | $31,499 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 18.7% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 22.7% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Jose
$1,452,609
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
San Jose
56.0%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | San Jose, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,452,609 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.0% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Jose
503
St. Charles
501
St. Charles +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Jose
2388
San Jose +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | San Jose, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | St. Charles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | San Jose + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Jose
11.1%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
St. Charles
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Jose
9.1%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
St. Charles
12.5%
| Metric | San Jose, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.7% | 35.9% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 16.0% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 18.4% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.5% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Jose
61.5°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Jose
14.9 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | San Jose, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Jose
75.0%
San Jose +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | San Jose, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | San Jose + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | San Jose + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Jose
30.4 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | San Jose, CA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, St. Charles is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Jose. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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