Independence MO vs Jacksonville FL — 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Jacksonville
36.4
Jacksonville +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Jacksonville
51.2%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Jacksonville
12.0%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 36.4 | Jacksonville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 12.2% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 72.2% | 51.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 30.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 12.0% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Jacksonville
$37,269
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Jacksonville
31.9%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $66,981 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $37,269 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $65,328 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 15.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 31.9% | Jacksonville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Jacksonville
$286,396
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Jacksonville
57.4%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $286,396 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 57.4% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 324 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Jacksonville
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Jacksonville
18.8%
Jacksonville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Jacksonville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Jacksonville
14.8%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 34.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.2% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.8% | Jacksonville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.9% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.8% | Jacksonville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
Jacksonville
50.0 in
| Metric | Independence, MO | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 70.2°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 50.0 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jacksonville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Jacksonville
26.0 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 26.0 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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