Albany GA vs Independence MO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Independence
5.3%
Independence +
White
Albany
18.9%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Independence
1.4%
Independence +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 121,944 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.4 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 5.3% | Independence + |
| White | 18.9% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 76.3% | 10.8% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 1.4% | Independence + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 12.4% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Albany +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Albany, GA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $59,480 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $31,683 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,527 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 6.0% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 20.9% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Independence
$210,384
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $210,384 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Albany, GA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 501 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2418 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Independence
19.9%
Independence +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Independence
18.4%
Independence +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 37.3% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.9% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 19.9% | Independence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 11.5% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.8% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 18.4% | Independence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 54.5°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 43.7 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Independence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Independence
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, GA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Independence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 25.5 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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