Gresham OR 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)
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
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
Gresham
112,818
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gresham
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Gresham
37.2
Gresham +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
Independence
5.3%
White
Gresham
67.7%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Gresham
4.4%
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Asian
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Gresham
21.1%
Gresham +
Independence
12.4%
Spanish at Home
Gresham
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 121,944 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 38.4 | Gresham + |
| Foreign Born | 16.5% | 5.3% | Gresham + |
| White | 67.7% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 4.4% | 10.8% | Independence + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 1.4% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 21.1% | 12.4% | Gresham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gresham
$73,608
Gresham +
Independence
$59,480
Per Capita Income
Gresham
$35,390
Gresham +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gresham
$63,691
Gresham +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Gresham
5.3%
Gresham +
Independence
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Independence
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gresham
23.6%
Gresham +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,608 | $59,480 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,390 | $31,683 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $58,527 | Gresham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 6.0% | Gresham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 15.3% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.6% | 20.9% | Gresham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gresham
$472,119
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Gresham
56.1%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,119 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.1% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
355
Gresham +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
3001
Independence
2418
Independence +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 501 | Gresham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2418 | Independence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
Independence
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.3%
Gresham +
Independence
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gresham
20.4%
Independence
19.9%
Independence +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.0%
Gresham +
Independence
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gresham
16.2%
Gresham +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gresham
15.3%
Gresham +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 37.3% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 12.9% | Gresham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 19.9% | Independence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.5% | Gresham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.8% | Gresham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 18.4% | Gresham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Independence
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Independence
43.7 in
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 43.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Gresham +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gresham
55.0%
Independence
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Gresham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gresham
28.8 min
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 25.5 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gresham leads in median household income at $73,608, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Gresham is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Gresham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Gresham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gresham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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