Independence MO vs Irving TX — 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%
Irving, TX
Texas · Population: 255,036
- Median HH Income$79,641
- Median Home Price$344,888
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+41.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Irving
255,036
Irving +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Irving
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Irving
32.8
Irving +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Irving
41.9%
Irving +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Irving
36.7%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Irving
12.9%
Irving +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Irving
22.6%
Irving +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Irving
43.0%
Irving +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Irving
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 255,036 | Irving + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 32.8 | Irving + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 41.9% | Irving + |
| White | 72.2% | 36.7% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 12.9% | Irving + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 22.6% | Irving + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 43.0% | Irving + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Irving
$79,641
Irving +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Irving
$39,462
Irving +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Irving
$63,758
Irving +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Irving
4.3%
Irving +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Irving
11.0%
Irving +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Irving
41.6%
Irving +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $79,641 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $39,462 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,758 | Irving + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.3% | Irving + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 11.0% | Irving + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 41.6% | Irving + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Irving
$344,888
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Irving
38.3%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $344,888 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 38.3% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Irving
442
Irving +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Irving
2339
Irving +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 442 | Irving + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2339 | Irving + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Irving
31.6%
Irving +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Irving
10.5%
Irving +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Irving
16.2%
Irving +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Irving
20.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Irving
17.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Irving
11.2%
Irving +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 31.6% | Irving + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.5% | Irving + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 16.2% | Irving + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 20.6% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 17.0% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.2% | Irving + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Irving
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Irving
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
Irving +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Irving
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Independence, MO | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Irving + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Irving
26.0 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 26.0 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irving leads in median household income at $79,641, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Irving is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Irving has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Irving has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irving scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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