St. Charles MO vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
St. Charles
71,542
West Palm Beach
119,508
West Palm Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Charles
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
St. Charles
37.9
St. Charles +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
St. Charles
4.2%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
St. Charles
6.7%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
St. Charles
1.4%
West Palm Beach
2.5%
West Palm Beach +
Hispanic
St. Charles
7.7%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
St. Charles
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,542 | 119,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 40.2 | St. Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 80.4% | 44.0% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 6.7% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Charles
$55,578
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
St. Charles
$31,499
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Charles
$58,527
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
St. Charles
18.7%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Charles
22.7%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,578 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,499 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.7% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.7% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $144,200 | $399,650 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.4% | 50.2% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Charles
501
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Charles
2418
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
35.9%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
West Palm Beach
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
18.4%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.4% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 16.9% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 13.0% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Charles
N/A
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Charles
N/A
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 75.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Charles
55.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.3 min | 25.0 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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