Anaheim CA 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)
Anaheim, CA
California · Population: 344,553
- Median HH Income$90,583
- Median Home Price$952,227
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
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
Anaheim
344,553
Anaheim +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anaheim
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Anaheim
35.9
Anaheim +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Anaheim
35.2%
Anaheim +
Independence
5.3%
White
Anaheim
41.2%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Anaheim
2.5%
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Asian
Anaheim
18.6%
Anaheim +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Anaheim
52.5%
Anaheim +
Independence
12.4%
Spanish at Home
Anaheim
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 344,553 | 121,944 | Anaheim + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 38.4 | Anaheim + |
| Foreign Born | 35.2% | 5.3% | Anaheim + |
| White | 41.2% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 2.5% | 10.8% | Independence + |
| Asian | 18.6% | 1.4% | Anaheim + |
| Hispanic | 52.5% | 12.4% | Anaheim + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anaheim
$90,583
Anaheim +
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
Anaheim
$36,541
Anaheim +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anaheim
$77,230
Anaheim +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Anaheim
5.5%
Anaheim +
Independence
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Anaheim
12.5%
Anaheim +
Independence
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anaheim
28.7%
Anaheim +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,583 | $59,480 | Anaheim + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,541 | $31,683 | Anaheim + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | Anaheim + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.0% | Anaheim + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 15.3% | Anaheim + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 20.9% | Anaheim + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anaheim
$952,227
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Anaheim
45.9%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $952,227 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.9% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
503
Independence
501
Independence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
2388
Anaheim +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | Anaheim + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
26.8%
Anaheim +
Independence
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
12.2%
Anaheim +
Independence
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anaheim
18.0%
Anaheim +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
14.7%
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
15.4%
Anaheim +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
11.0%
Anaheim +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 37.3% | Anaheim + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.9% | Anaheim + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 19.9% | Anaheim + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 11.5% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.8% | Anaheim + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 18.4% | Anaheim + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
67.1°F
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
13.4 in
Anaheim +
Independence
43.7 in
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.1°F | 54.5°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.4 in | 43.7 in | Anaheim + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anaheim
7.9 µg/m³
Anaheim +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anaheim
75.0%
Anaheim +
Independence
55.0%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Anaheim + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Anaheim + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anaheim
30.6 min
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.6 min | 25.5 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anaheim leads in median household income at $90,583, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Independence is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Anaheim. Anaheim has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Anaheim has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anaheim scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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