Broken Arrow OK 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)
Broken Arrow, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 115,919
- Median HH Income$85,220
- Median Home Price$289,352
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
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
Broken Arrow
115,919
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Broken Arrow
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Broken Arrow
37.0
Broken Arrow +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Broken Arrow
8.2%
Broken Arrow +
Independence
5.3%
White
Broken Arrow
68.4%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Broken Arrow
5.9%
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Asian
Broken Arrow
4.6%
Broken Arrow +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Broken Arrow
11.3%
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Spanish at Home
Broken Arrow
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,919 | 121,944 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 38.4 | Broken Arrow + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 5.3% | Broken Arrow + |
| White | 68.4% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 5.9% | 10.8% | Independence + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 1.4% | Broken Arrow + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 12.4% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Broken Arrow
$85,220
Broken Arrow +
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
Broken Arrow
$46,356
Broken Arrow +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Broken Arrow
$57,929
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Unemployment Rate
Broken Arrow
4.3%
Broken Arrow +
Independence
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Broken Arrow
9.0%
Broken Arrow +
Independence
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Broken Arrow
35.0%
Broken Arrow +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,220 | $59,480 | Broken Arrow + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,356 | $31,683 | Broken Arrow + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $58,527 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.0% | Broken Arrow + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.0% | 15.3% | Broken Arrow + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 20.9% | Broken Arrow + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Broken Arrow
$289,352
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Broken Arrow
72.6%
Broken Arrow +
Independence
61.0%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,352 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.6% | 61.0% | Broken Arrow + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
429
Broken Arrow +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
2375
Broken Arrow +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 501 | Broken Arrow + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2418 | Broken Arrow + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
33.7%
Broken Arrow +
Independence
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
10.6%
Broken Arrow +
Independence
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Broken Arrow
16.9%
Broken Arrow +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
9.1%
Broken Arrow +
Independence
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
14.1%
Broken Arrow +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
13.2%
Broken Arrow +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 37.3% | Broken Arrow + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.9% | Broken Arrow + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 19.9% | Broken Arrow + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.5% | Broken Arrow + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.8% | Broken Arrow + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 18.4% | Broken Arrow + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Independence
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Independence
43.7 in
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 43.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
8.8 µg/m³
Broken Arrow +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Broken Arrow
75.0%
Broken Arrow +
Independence
55.0%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Broken Arrow + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Broken Arrow + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Broken Arrow
23.3 min
Broken Arrow +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.3 min | 25.5 min | Broken Arrow + |
Which City is Right for You?
Broken Arrow leads in median household income at $85,220, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Broken Arrow is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Broken Arrow has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Broken Arrow has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Broken Arrow scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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