Springfield MA 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)
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
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
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Springfield
40.8%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Springfield
2.8%
Springfield +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,751 | 71,542 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 37.9 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 4.2% | Springfield + |
| White | 40.8% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 20.0% | 6.7% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.4% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 47.4% | 7.7% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$51,339
St. Charles
$55,578
St. Charles +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$27,054
St. Charles
$31,499
St. Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
St. Charles
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
8.2%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Springfield
25.3%
St. Charles
18.7%
St. Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
19.7%
St. Charles
22.7%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,339 | $55,578 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,054 | $31,499 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $58,527 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.3% | 18.7% | St. Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.7% | 22.7% | St. Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$298,985
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
49.5%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $298,985 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.5% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
326
Springfield +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | Springfield, MA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 501 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2418 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
39.6%
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.8%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
21.1%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
13.7%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.5%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 35.9% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 18.4% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MA | 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.)
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
75.0%
Springfield +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | Springfield, MA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Springfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
22.6 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 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, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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