Escondido CA 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)
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
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
Escondido
107,066
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Escondido
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Escondido
38.1
Escondido +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
Independence
5.3%
White
Escondido
13.7%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Escondido
0.6%
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Asian
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Independence
12.4%
Spanish at Home
Escondido
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 121,944 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 38.4 | Escondido + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 5.3% | Escondido + |
| White | 13.7% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 0.6% | 10.8% | Independence + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 1.4% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 12.4% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Escondido
$64,484
Escondido +
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
Escondido
$24,356
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Escondido
6.4%
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Poverty Rate
Escondido
17.2%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Escondido
14.7%
Independence
20.9%
Independence +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $59,480 | Escondido + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $31,683 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 6.0% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 20.9% | Independence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Escondido
$849,335
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Escondido
40.1%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,335 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
503
Independence
501
Independence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
2388
Escondido +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | Escondido + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Independence
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
11.3%
Escondido +
Independence
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Escondido
18.0%
Escondido +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Escondido
14.1%
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Escondido
16.2%
Escondido +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Escondido
12.2%
Escondido +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 37.3% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 12.9% | Escondido + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 19.9% | Escondido + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.5% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.8% | Escondido + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 18.4% | Escondido + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
N/A
Independence
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
11.1 in
Escondido +
Independence
43.7 in
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.1 in | 43.7 in | Escondido + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Escondido +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Escondido
75.0%
Escondido +
Independence
55.0%
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Escondido + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Escondido + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Escondido
31.6 min
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 25.5 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Escondido leads in median household income at $64,484, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Independence is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Escondido. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Escondido has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
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