Fullerton 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)
Fullerton, CA
California · Population: 141,278
- Median HH Income$104,219
- Median Home Price$1,047,700
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
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
Fullerton
141,278
Fullerton +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fullerton
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Fullerton
36.1
Fullerton +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Fullerton
28.9%
Fullerton +
Independence
5.3%
White
Fullerton
43.0%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Fullerton
2.1%
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Asian
Fullerton
24.5%
Fullerton +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Fullerton
39.6%
Fullerton +
Independence
12.4%
Spanish at Home
Fullerton
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 121,944 | Fullerton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 38.4 | Fullerton + |
| Foreign Born | 28.9% | 5.3% | Fullerton + |
| White | 43.0% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 2.1% | 10.8% | Independence + |
| Asian | 24.5% | 1.4% | Fullerton + |
| Hispanic | 39.6% | 12.4% | Fullerton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fullerton
$104,219
Fullerton +
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
Fullerton
$48,061
Fullerton +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fullerton
$77,230
Fullerton +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Fullerton
6.5%
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Poverty Rate
Fullerton
12.2%
Fullerton +
Independence
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fullerton
43.6%
Fullerton +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,219 | $59,480 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,061 | $31,683 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | Fullerton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.0% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 15.3% | Fullerton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 20.9% | Fullerton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fullerton
$1,047,700
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Fullerton
51.5%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,047,700 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
503
Independence
501
Independence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
2388
Fullerton +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | Fullerton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
23.9%
Fullerton +
Independence
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.9%
Fullerton +
Independence
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fullerton
16.8%
Fullerton +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.2%
Fullerton +
Independence
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
15.0%
Fullerton +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
9.2%
Fullerton +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.9% | 37.3% | Fullerton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.9% | Fullerton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.9% | Fullerton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.5% | Fullerton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.8% | Fullerton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 18.4% | Fullerton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
65.1°F
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
13.9 in
Fullerton +
Independence
43.7 in
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.1°F | 54.5°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.9 in | 43.7 in | Fullerton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fullerton
7.9 µg/m³
Fullerton +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fullerton
75.0%
Fullerton +
Independence
55.0%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Fullerton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fullerton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fullerton
32.5 min
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 25.5 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fullerton leads in median household income at $104,219, 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 Fullerton. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Fullerton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fullerton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.9%.
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