Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Cincinnati +
Independence
5.3%
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 121,944 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 38.4 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 5.3% | Cincinnati + |
| White | 49.4% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 38.7% | 10.8% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 12.4% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $59,480 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $31,683 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,527 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 6.0% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 20.9% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 501 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2418 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Cincinnati +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Independence
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Cincinnati +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 37.3% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.9% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 19.9% | Cincinnati + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 16.8% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.4% | Cincinnati + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Independence
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 54.5°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 43.7 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Independence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Independence
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Independence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 25.5 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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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