Carrollton TX 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)
Carrollton, TX
Texas · Population: 132,741
- Median HH Income$99,115
- Median Home Price$408,531
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Carrollton
132,741
Carrollton +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carrollton
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Carrollton
38.4
Independence
38.4
Tie
Foreign Born
Carrollton
26.9%
Carrollton +
Independence
5.3%
White
Carrollton
52.1%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Carrollton
9.2%
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Asian
Carrollton
16.4%
Carrollton +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Carrollton
31.8%
Carrollton +
Independence
12.4%
Spanish at Home
Carrollton
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,741 | 121,944 | Carrollton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 38.4 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 26.9% | 5.3% | Carrollton + |
| White | 52.1% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 9.2% | 10.8% | Independence + |
| Asian | 16.4% | 1.4% | Carrollton + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 12.4% | Carrollton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carrollton
$99,115
Carrollton +
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
Carrollton
$50,000
Carrollton +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carrollton
$63,758
Carrollton +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Carrollton
3.2%
Carrollton +
Independence
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Carrollton
6.9%
Carrollton +
Independence
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carrollton
43.3%
Carrollton +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $99,115 | $59,480 | Carrollton + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,000 | $31,683 | Carrollton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,527 | Carrollton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 6.0% | Carrollton + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.9% | 15.3% | Carrollton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 20.9% | Carrollton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carrollton
$408,531
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Carrollton
58.3%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,531 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
442
Carrollton +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
2339
Carrollton +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 501 | Carrollton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2418 | Carrollton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
32.2%
Carrollton +
Independence
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
10.8%
Carrollton +
Independence
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carrollton
15.3%
Carrollton +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
14.8%
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
16.9%
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
9.8%
Carrollton +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.2% | 37.3% | Carrollton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 12.9% | Carrollton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | 19.9% | Carrollton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.5% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.8% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 18.4% | Carrollton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Independence
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Independence
43.7 in
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | 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.)
Carrollton
9.2 µg/m³
Carrollton +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carrollton
55.0%
Independence
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Carrollton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carrollton
26.2 min
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 25.5 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carrollton leads in median household income at $99,115, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Carrollton is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Carrollton has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Carrollton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carrollton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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