Independence MO vs Jonesboro AR — 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%

Jonesboro, AR

Arkansas · Population: N/A

Median HH IncomeN/A
Median Home Price$225,577
UnemploymentN/A
Bachelor's+N/A

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population

Independence

121,944

Jonesboro

N/A

Pop. Density / sq mi

Lower = more space

Independence

N/A

Jonesboro

N/A

Median Age

Independence

38.4

Jonesboro

N/A

Foreign Born

Independence

5.3%

Jonesboro

N/A

White

Independence

72.2%

Jonesboro

N/A

Black

Independence

10.8%

Jonesboro

N/A

Asian

Independence

1.4%

Jonesboro

N/A

Hispanic

Independence

12.4%

Jonesboro

N/A

Spanish at Home

Independence

N/A

Jonesboro

N/A

Metric	Independence, MO	Jonesboro, AR	Better
Population	121,944	N/A	-
Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space	N/A	N/A	-
Median Age	38.4	N/A	-
Foreign Born	5.3%	N/A	-
White	72.2%	N/A	-
Black	10.8%	N/A	-
Asian	1.4%	N/A	-
Hispanic	12.4%	N/A	-
Spanish at Home	N/A	N/A	-

Economy

Median HH Income

Independence

$59,480

Jonesboro

N/A

Per Capita Income

Independence

$31,683

Jonesboro

N/A

Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)

BEA MSA-level

Independence

$58,527

Independence +

Jonesboro

$53,714

Unemployment Rate

Independence

6.0%

Jonesboro

N/A

Poverty Rate

Independence

15.3%

Jonesboro

N/A

Bachelor's Degree+

Independence

20.9%

Jonesboro

N/A

Metric	Independence, MO	Jonesboro, AR	Better
Median HH Income	$59,480	N/A	-
Per Capita Income	$31,683	N/A	-
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level	$58,527	$53,714	Independence +
Unemployment Rate	6.0%	N/A	-
Poverty Rate	15.3%	N/A	-
Bachelor's Degree+	20.9%	N/A	-

Housing

Median Home Value

Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS

Independence

$210,384

Independence +

Jonesboro

$225,577

Homeownership Rate

Independence

61.0%

Jonesboro

N/A

Metric	Independence, MO	Jonesboro, AR	Better
Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS	$210,384	$225,577	Independence +
Homeownership Rate	61.0%	N/A	-

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K

FBI CDE (state-level est.)

Independence

501

Independence +

Jonesboro

660

Property Crime / 100K

FBI CDE (state-level est.)

Independence

2418

Independence +

Jonesboro

2507

Metric	Independence, MO	Jonesboro, AR	Better
Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.)	501	660	Independence +
Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.)	2418	2507	Independence +

Health

Obesity Rate

CDC PLACES

Independence

37.3%

Independence +

Jonesboro

39.2%

Diabetes Rate

CDC PLACES

Independence

12.9%

Jonesboro

11.4%

Jonesboro +

Poor Mental Health

CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month

Independence

19.9%

Independence +

Jonesboro

20.5%

No Health Insurance

CDC PLACES

Independence

11.5%

Independence +

Jonesboro

11.6%

Binge Drinking

CDC PLACES

Independence

16.8%

Jonesboro

15.1%

Jonesboro +

Current Smokers

CDC PLACES

Independence

18.4%

Jonesboro

15.7%

Jonesboro +

Metric	Independence, MO	Jonesboro, AR	Better
Obesity RateCDC PLACES	37.3%	39.2%	Independence +
Diabetes RateCDC PLACES	12.9%	11.4%	Jonesboro +
Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month	19.9%	20.5%	Independence +
No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES	11.5%	11.6%	Independence +
Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES	16.8%	15.1%	Jonesboro +
Current SmokersCDC PLACES	18.4%	15.7%	Jonesboro +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp

NOAA 1991–2020 normal

Independence

54.5°F

Independence +

Jonesboro

59.2°F

Annual Precipitation

NOAA 1991–2020 normal

Independence

43.7 in

Independence +

Jonesboro

48.2 in

Metric	Independence, MO	Jonesboro, AR	Better
Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal	54.5°F	59.2°F	Independence +
Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal	43.7 in	48.2 in	Independence +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg

EPA AQS (state-level est.)

Independence

9.3 µg/m³

Independence +

Jonesboro

9.5 µg/m³

Good Air Days

AQI ≤ 50

Independence

55.0%

Jonesboro

55.0%

Tie

Metric	Independence, MO	Jonesboro, AR	Better
PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.)	9.3 µg/m³	9.5 µg/m³	Independence +
Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50	55.0%	55.0%	Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time

Census ACS

Independence

25.5 min

Jonesboro

N/A

Metric	Independence, MO	Jonesboro, AR	Better
Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS	25.5 min	N/A	-

Which City is Right for You?

Independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Independence is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Jonesboro. Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.

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About Independence & Jonesboro

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