Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Independence
5.3%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 121,944 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 38.4 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 5.3% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 29.0% | 10.8% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.4% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 12.4% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Independence
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $59,480 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $31,683 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,527 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 6.0% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 20.9% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 501 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2418 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Independence
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Independence
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Columbus +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Independence
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 37.3% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.9% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 19.9% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.5% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.8% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 18.4% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Independence
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
Independence
43.7 in
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 43.7 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Independence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Independence
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 25.5 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
Compare More Cities
Columbus, OH vs New York, NYColumbus, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbus, OHColumbus, OH vs Houston, TXColumbus, OH vs Phoenix, AZColumbus, OH vs Philadelphia, PA