Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Detroit +
Independence
5.3%
White
Detroit
11.7%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Detroit +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 121,944 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.4 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 5.3% | Detroit + |
| White | 11.7% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 76.8% | 10.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.4% | Detroit + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 12.4% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Independence
20.9%
Independence +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $59,480 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $31,683 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,527 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 6.0% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 20.9% | Independence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Independence
$210,384
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $210,384 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 501 | Detroit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2418 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Independence
19.9%
Independence +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Independence
18.4%
Independence +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 37.3% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.9% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 19.9% | Independence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 11.5% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 18.4% | Independence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Independence
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Independence
43.7 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 54.5°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 43.7 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Independence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Independence
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Independence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 25.5 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Detroit is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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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