Concord NC 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)
Concord, NC
North Carolina · Population: 106,518
- Median HH Income$84,752
- Median Home Price$384,688
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+41.7%
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
Concord
106,518
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Concord
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Concord
36.2
Concord +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Concord
12.5%
Concord +
Independence
5.3%
White
Concord
54.7%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Concord
22.1%
Concord +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Concord
6.7%
Concord +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Concord
15.8%
Concord +
Independence
12.4%
Spanish at Home
Concord
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Concord, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,518 | 121,944 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 38.4 | Concord + |
| Foreign Born | 12.5% | 5.3% | Concord + |
| White | 54.7% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 22.1% | 10.8% | Concord + |
| Asian | 6.7% | 1.4% | Concord + |
| Hispanic | 15.8% | 12.4% | Concord + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Concord
$84,752
Concord +
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
Concord
$40,763
Concord +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Concord
$59,120
Concord +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Concord
4.8%
Concord +
Independence
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Concord
8.6%
Concord +
Independence
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Concord
41.7%
Concord +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,752 | $59,480 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,763 | $31,683 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,527 | Concord + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.0% | Concord + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.6% | 15.3% | Concord + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.7% | 20.9% | Concord + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Concord
$384,688
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Concord
66.4%
Concord +
Independence
61.0%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $384,688 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 61.0% | Concord + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
398
Concord +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
1999
Concord +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Concord, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 501 | Concord + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2418 | Concord + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
33.5%
Concord +
Independence
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.6%
Concord +
Independence
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Concord
16.6%
Concord +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.5%
Concord +
Independence
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Concord
15.2%
Concord +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Concord
12.5%
Concord +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 37.3% | Concord + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.9% | Concord + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 19.9% | Concord + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.5% | Concord + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.8% | Concord + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 18.4% | Concord + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
60.4°F
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
45.9 in
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.4°F | 54.5°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 43.7 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Concord
8.7 µg/m³
Concord +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Concord
75.0%
Concord +
Independence
55.0%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Concord + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Concord + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Concord
29.7 min
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.7 min | 25.5 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Concord leads in median household income at $84,752, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Concord is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Concord has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Concord has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Concord scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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