Springfield MO 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
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
169,432
Springfield +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
Springfield
3.8%
St. Charles
4.2%
St. Charles +
White
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
St. Charles
80.4%
Black
Springfield
4.3%
St. Charles
6.7%
St. Charles +
Asian
Springfield
1.7%
Springfield +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Springfield
5.6%
St. Charles
7.7%
St. Charles +
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,432 | 71,542 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 37.9 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 4.2% | St. Charles + |
| White | 85.2% | 80.4% | Springfield + |
| Black | 4.3% | 6.7% | St. Charles + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 1.4% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 7.7% | St. Charles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$45,984
St. Charles
$55,578
St. Charles +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$30,864
St. Charles
$31,499
St. Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$58,527
St. Charles
$58,527
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
St. Charles
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Springfield
19.4%
St. Charles
18.7%
St. Charles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
30.3%
Springfield +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | Springfield, MO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,984 | $55,578 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,864 | $31,499 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $58,527 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.7% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.4% | 18.7% | St. Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 22.7% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$245,279
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
42.9%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,279 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.9% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
501
St. Charles
501
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
2418
St. Charles
2418
Tie
| Metric | Springfield, MO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 501 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2418 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
37.7%
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
11.1%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
20.0%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
10.0%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.1%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 35.9% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.4% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
56.3°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
45.6 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
St. Charles
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Springfield, MO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.5 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.5 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, St. Charles is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and St. Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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