St. Charles MO vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
St. Charles
71,542
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Charles
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
St. Charles
37.9
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
St. Charles
4.2%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
St. Charles
6.7%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
St. Charles
1.4%
Wilmington
2.3%
Wilmington +
Hispanic
St. Charles
7.7%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
St. Charles
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,542 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 80.4% | 48.7% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 6.7% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.3% | Wilmington + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Charles
$55,578
Wilmington
$57,673
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
St. Charles
$31,499
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Charles
$58,527
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
St. Charles
18.7%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Charles
22.7%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,578 | $57,673 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,499 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.9% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.7% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.7% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $144,200 | $419,326 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.4% | 54.6% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Charles
501
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Charles
2418
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
35.9%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Wilmington
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Wilmington
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
18.4%
Wilmington
17.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
12.5%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.4% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 9.6% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 17.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Charles
N/A
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Charles
N/A
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Charles
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.3 min | 23.2 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $57,673, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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