El Paso 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Independence
5.3%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
El Paso +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Independence
12.4%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 121,944 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 38.4 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 5.3% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 3.6% | 10.8% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.4% | El Paso + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 12.4% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
El Paso +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $59,480 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $31,683 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,527 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 6.0% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 20.9% | El Paso + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
Independence
2418
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 501 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2418 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Independence
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 37.3% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.9% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.9% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 11.5% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.8% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 18.4% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Independence
43.7 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 54.5°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 43.7 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
El Paso +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Independence
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | El Paso + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 25.5 min | El Paso + |
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, El Paso is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and El Paso has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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