St. Charles MO vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
St. Charles
71,542
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Charles
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
St. Charles
37.9
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
St. Charles
4.2%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
St. Charles
6.7%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
St. Charles
1.4%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
St. Charles
7.7%
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Virginia Beach +
Spanish at Home
St. Charles
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,542 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 80.4% | 61.6% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 6.7% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 8.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Charles
$55,578
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
St. Charles
$31,499
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Charles
$58,527
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
St. Charles
4.7%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
St. Charles
18.7%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Charles
22.7%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,578 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,499 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.7% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.7% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
St. Charles
61.4%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $144,200 | $427,121 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.4% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Charles
501
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Charles
2418
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
18.4%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
12.5%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 36.5% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.8% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.7% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 8.3% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Charles
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Charles
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Charles
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.3 min | 25.0 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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