St. Charles MO vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
St. Charles
71,542
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Charles
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
St. Charles
37.9
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
St. Charles
4.2%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Waco
54.0%
Black
St. Charles
6.7%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
St. Charles
1.4%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
St. Charles
7.7%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
St. Charles
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,542 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 80.4% | 54.0% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 6.7% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Charles
$55,578
St. Charles +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
St. Charles
$31,499
St. Charles +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Charles
$58,527
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
St. Charles
4.7%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
St. Charles
18.7%
St. Charles +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Charles
22.7%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,578 | $51,468 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,499 | $28,819 | St. Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.7% | 24.0% | St. Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.7% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Waco
$196,465
Homeownership Rate
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $144,200 | $196,465 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.4% | 48.9% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Charles
501
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Charles
2418
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
18.4%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 36.8% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.0% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 20.4% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 20.4% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 15.1% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Charles
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Charles
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Charles
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
Waco
19.7 min
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.3 min | 19.7 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, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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