Independence MO vs Indianapolis IN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Indianapolis
53.6%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 34.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 11.6% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 72.2% | 53.6% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 28.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 13.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Indianapolis
$58,697
Indianapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Indianapolis
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $62,995 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $36,194 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $58,697 | Indianapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.2% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 15.7% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 34.2% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Indianapolis
$232,133
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Indianapolis
55.3%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $232,133 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 55.3% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 370 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 41.8 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Independence +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Indianapolis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Independence, MO | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Independence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Indianapolis
25.8 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 25.8 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³).
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