Evansville IN 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)
Evansville, IN
Indiana · Population: 116,441
- Median HH Income$52,251
- Median Home Price$200,657
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
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
Evansville
116,441
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Evansville
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Evansville
38.1
Evansville +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Evansville
3.9%
Independence
5.3%
Independence +
White
Evansville
77.1%
Evansville +
Independence
72.2%
Black
Evansville
13.5%
Evansville +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Evansville
1.1%
Independence
1.4%
Independence +
Hispanic
Evansville
4.0%
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Spanish at Home
Evansville
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,441 | 121,944 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 38.4 | Evansville + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 5.3% | Independence + |
| White | 77.1% | 72.2% | Evansville + |
| Black | 13.5% | 10.8% | Evansville + |
| Asian | 1.1% | 1.4% | Independence + |
| Hispanic | 4.0% | 12.4% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Evansville
$52,251
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Per Capita Income
Evansville
$31,236
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Evansville
$58,697
Evansville +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Evansville
5.3%
Evansville +
Independence
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Evansville
18.6%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Evansville
22.3%
Evansville +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,251 | $59,480 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,236 | $31,683 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $58,527 | Evansville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.0% | Evansville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 20.9% | Evansville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Evansville
$200,657
Evansville +
Independence
$210,384
Homeownership Rate
Evansville
53.9%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $200,657 | $210,384 | Evansville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
370
Evansville +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
1719
Evansville +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 501 | Evansville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2418 | Evansville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
40.0%
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
13.8%
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Evansville
19.7%
Evansville +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Evansville
9.6%
Evansville +
Independence
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Evansville
15.8%
Evansville +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Evansville
18.6%
Independence
18.4%
Independence +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 37.3% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.9% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 19.9% | Evansville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.5% | Evansville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.8% | Evansville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.6% | 18.4% | Independence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
60.1°F
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
46.8 in
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.1°F | 54.5°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.8 in | 43.7 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Evansville
10.1 µg/m³
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Independence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Evansville
55.0%
Independence
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Independence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Evansville
20.2 min
Evansville +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 25.5 min | Evansville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while evansville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $200,657. On public safety, Evansville is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Evansville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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