Fort Worth 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)
Fort Worth, TX
Texas · Population: 941,311
- Median HH Income$76,602
- Median Home Price$299,655
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+31.7%
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
Fort Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Worth
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Fort Worth
33.4
Fort Worth +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Fort Worth
17.0%
Fort Worth +
Independence
5.3%
White
Fort Worth
47.7%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Fort Worth
19.5%
Fort Worth +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Fort Worth
5.2%
Fort Worth +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Independence
12.4%
Spanish at Home
Fort Worth
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 121,944 | Fort Worth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 38.4 | Fort Worth + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 5.3% | Fort Worth + |
| White | 47.7% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 19.5% | 10.8% | Fort Worth + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 1.4% | Fort Worth + |
| Hispanic | 34.6% | 12.4% | Fort Worth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Worth
$76,602
Fort Worth +
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
Fort Worth
$37,157
Fort Worth +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Worth
$63,758
Fort Worth +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Fort Worth
4.9%
Fort Worth +
Independence
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Fort Worth
12.9%
Fort Worth +
Independence
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Worth
31.7%
Fort Worth +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,602 | $59,480 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,157 | $31,683 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,527 | Fort Worth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.0% | Fort Worth + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.9% | 15.3% | Fort Worth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 20.9% | Fort Worth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Worth
$299,655
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Worth
56.8%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,655 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.8% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
442
Fort Worth +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
2339
Fort Worth +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 501 | Fort Worth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2418 | Fort Worth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Independence
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
12.2%
Fort Worth +
Independence
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Worth
18.5%
Fort Worth +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
20.0%
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
16.9%
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
13.8%
Fort Worth +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 37.3% | Fort Worth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 19.9% | Fort Worth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 11.5% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.8% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 18.4% | Fort Worth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
37.8 in
Fort Worth +
Independence
43.7 in
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.8°F | 54.5°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 43.7 in | Fort Worth + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Fort Worth +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Worth
55.0%
Independence
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Fort Worth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Worth
29.0 min
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 25.5 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Worth leads in median household income at $76,602, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Fort Worth is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Fort Worth has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fort Worth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Worth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
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