Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
Independence
5.3%
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Independence
12.4%
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 121,944 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 38.4 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 5.3% | Gainesville + |
| White | 59.2% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 21.6% | 10.8% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 1.4% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 12.4% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Independence
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $59,480 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $31,683 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $58,527 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 6.0% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 20.9% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 501 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2418 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Independence
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Independence
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Independence
19.9%
Independence +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 37.3% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 12.9% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 19.9% | Independence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.5% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.8% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 18.4% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 54.5°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 43.7 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
Independence
55.0%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 25.5 min | Gainesville + |
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, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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