St. Charles 79 Exceptional
St. Charles Livability #99 ranked city in Illinois#1,897 ranked city in the USARanks better than 93% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in St. Charles

PROS
  • Crime

    This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.

  • Employment

    With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.

  • Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Schools

    The high score in the schools category can be attributed to outstanding test scores, elevated graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.

  • Ratings

    According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.

CONS
  • Commute

    Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.

  • Cost Of Living

    This area is known for its high cost of living, which means you should anticipate higher costs for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries, and health care.

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What's it like Living in St. Charles?

Located in the state of Illinois, St. Charles is a moderately-sized city with a population of 32,612 inhabitants. According to the most recent Census, 86% of St. Charles residents are White, 4% Asian and 3% Black. When traveling to work, spending unnecessary time in your vehicle is not ideal and downright frustrating. Across all of America, the average one way commute time is 26 minutes, unfortunately, living in St. Charles offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 30 minutes.

Without the right tools, moving to any new town can be very stressful and challenging. Living in St. Charles, Illinois could be a fulfilling experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. To help you find the best places to live in and around St. Charles, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like cost of living, health & safety, employment and more.

St. Charles has a livability score of 80/100 and is ranked #65 in Illinois and #1,372 in the USA. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in St. Charles could be a great choice! Another exciting tidbit, is that St. Charles ranks better than 90% of all US cities! Based on the scores for each individual category, St. Charles has been rewarded with high marks for amenities (B), crime (A+), education (B+) and housing (A+). St. Charles does not do well for the following: cost of living (D-). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

St. Charles has many conveniently situated amenities and captivating attractions that adds to the continuous enjoyment of your everyday life. Having the assurance of abundant conveniences and a wide array of activities ensures your easy access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, bars, fitness facilities, coffee shops and exciting entertainment options. This not only simplifies daily routines but also fosters a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle within the community. With a wealth of resources at your fingertips, you can savor the convenience and variety that St. Charles has to offer, making it a desirable destination for those seeking both accessibility and enjoyment in their daily lives. A few of the enjoyable things to experience and sights to see are: Steel Beam Theater, Otter Cove Aquatic Park, and St. Charles Paddlewheel Riverboats.

Crime rates play a pivotal role in the decision-making process for anyone considering a move, as they directly influence the overall sense of safety, security and quality of life in a given location. St. Charles shines in this regard, earning exemplary ratings for its exceptionally low violent crime rates, standing at 130 crimes per 100,000 residents. These rates are notably below the national average, underscoring the community's commitment to safety and contributing to an enhanced quality of life.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, St. Charles has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in St. Charles is actually affordable. The median home price for St. Charles homes is $303,000, which is 73.3% higher than the Illinois average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in St. Charles, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3, which is 0% lower than the Illinois average.

Best Places to Live in and Around St. Charles

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Compare St. Charles, IL Livability

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      St. Charles transportation information

      Statistic St. Charles Illinois National
      Average one way commute30min29min26min
      Workers who drive to work76.6%73.4%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.7%8.3%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit4.9%9.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.4%0.6%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.1%3.1%2.8%
      Working from home8.4%4.4%4.6%
      Source: The St. Charles, IL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).