St. Charles MO vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
St. Charles
71,542
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Charles
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
St. Charles
37.9
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
St. Charles
4.2%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
St. Charles
6.7%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
St. Charles
1.4%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
St. Charles
7.7%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
St. Charles
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,542 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 80.4% | 58.0% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 6.7% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Charles
$55,578
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
St. Charles
$31,499
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Charles
$58,527
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
St. Charles
18.7%
St. Charles +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Charles
22.7%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,578 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,499 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.7% | 19.8% | St. Charles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.7% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $144,200 | $435,532 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.4% | 42.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Charles
501
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Charles
2418
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
35.9%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
18.4%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.9% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 8.7% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 17.1% | Worcester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 14.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Charles
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Charles
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Charles
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.3 min | 27.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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