Independence MO vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 72.2% | 28.7% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 21.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Jersey City
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.8% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 15.6% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $664,939 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 28.8% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.0% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.3% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Jersey City, NJ | 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
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Jersey City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 40.3 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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