St. Charles County vs. Lincoln County — Where Should I Live?

There’s a lot that goes into deciding where you’d like to live. If you’re looking at homes in both St. Charles and Lincoln counties, here are some things to consider.

Home costs

Lower property taxes and fewer people mean homes are more affordable in Lincoln County than St. Charles. Zillow lists the average home price in St. Charles County as $223,300, with about 1,900 homes on the market right now. Lincoln County, on the other hand, lists the average home price as $163,700 with about 628 homes on the market. So if you’re looking to save some money, Lincoln County is likely a better fit.

Traffic

St. Charles County, with its proximity to St. Louis, has more people than Lincoln County. That means more traffic, too. Of course, if you’re commuting to St. Louis, it will take longer to get there from Lincoln County, despite the less congested roads. Average commute time from Troy (in Lincoln County) to St. Louis is about 55 minutes. From St. Charles (the city), on the other hand, it’s about 30 minutes. But for getting around Lincoln County, the quick access to major roads means it’s easily accessible, without being a high-traffic jam area.

More space

Along with less traffic, Lincoln County has more space than St. Charles County. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do — Lincoln County still has vibrant communities and close access to quality-of-life needs like health care, good schools, entertainment, shopping and dining. There are more homes on the market in St. Charles County, but there is more land up for grabs in Lincoln County, for those looking to spread out a little.

Things to do

More people means more amenities, right? Not necessarily. St. Charles County is closer to St. Louis, which has some well-known and amazing things to do and see, as well as some top-notch restaurants. And St. Charles has its own fair share of attractions, including historic architecture and scenic parks. Lincoln County, though further from St. Louis, still has plenty of shopping and dining experiences, along with historic and natural opportunities. Cuivre River State Park, just outside of Troy, offers hiking, camping, swimming and more. Not far away is Historic Missouri Wine Country, and the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, where you can take a ferry ride, or just go have a picnic. There are also plenty of historic sites throughout the area, and for literature lovers, Mark Twain’s hometown of Hannibal is only about an hour to the northeast. So there’s definitely something for everyone.

If you’re looking for more information on what makes Lincoln County a great place to build a home, we’d be happy to help! Contact us here.