St. Charles MO vs Surprise AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
St. Charles
71,542
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Charles
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
St. Charles
37.9
St. Charles +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
St. Charles
4.2%
Surprise
6.8%
Surprise +
White
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Surprise
75.0%
Black
St. Charles
6.7%
St. Charles +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
St. Charles
1.4%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
St. Charles
7.7%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
St. Charles
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,542 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 41.6 | St. Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 6.8% | Surprise + |
| White | 80.4% | 75.0% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 6.7% | 4.8% | St. Charles + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.6% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Charles
$55,578
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
St. Charles
$31,499
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Charles
$58,527
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Unemployment Rate
St. Charles
4.7%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
St. Charles
18.7%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Charles
22.7%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,578 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,499 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $59,120 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.7% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.7% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
St. Charles
61.4%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $144,200 | $422,520 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.4% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Charles
501
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Charles
2418
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 450 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
35.9%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Charles
16.0%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
18.4%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
12.5%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.2% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 10.5% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Charles
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Charles
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Surprise, AZ | 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.)
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Charles
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.3 min | 32.8 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs St. Charles, MOLos Angeles, CA vs St. Charles, MOChicago, IL vs St. Charles, MOHouston, TX vs St. Charles, MOPhoenix, AZ vs St. Charles, MOPhiladelphia, PA vs St. Charles, MO