Spokane WA 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)
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
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
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Spokane
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Spokane
37.2
Spokane +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Spokane
6.1%
Spokane +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
St. Charles
80.4%
Black
Spokane
2.7%
St. Charles
6.7%
St. Charles +
Asian
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Spokane
7.8%
Spokane +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Spokane
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | 71,542 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.9 | Spokane + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 4.2% | Spokane + |
| White | 81.0% | 80.4% | Spokane + |
| Black | 2.7% | 6.7% | St. Charles + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 1.4% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 7.8% | 7.7% | Spokane + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Spokane
6.0%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,745 | $55,578 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,200 | $31,499 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $58,527 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 18.7% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 22.7% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Spokane
$400,636
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Spokane
58.3%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $400,636 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
383
Spokane +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
3409
St. Charles
2418
St. Charles +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 501 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2418 | St. Charles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
St. Charles
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Spokane
18.6%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Spokane
8.2%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Spokane
17.5%
Spokane +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Spokane
12.7%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 35.9% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 10.4% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 18.4% | Spokane + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
46.1°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
17.1 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Spokane
75.0%
Spokane +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Spokane + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Spokane
22.6 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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