Independence MO vs Kailua HI — 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%
Kailua, HI
Hawaii · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$1,530,716
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Kailua
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Kailua
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Kailua
N/A
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Kailua
N/A
White
Independence
72.2%
Kailua
N/A
Black
Independence
10.8%
Kailua
N/A
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Kailua
N/A
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Kailua
N/A
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Kailua
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kailua, HI | 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
Kailua
N/A
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Kailua
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Kailua
$63,296
Kailua +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Kailua
N/A
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Kailua
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Kailua
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kailua, HI | 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 | $63,296 | Kailua + |
| 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 +
Kailua
$1,530,716
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Kailua
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $1,530,716 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Kailua
276
Kailua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Independence +
Kailua
2592
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 276 | Kailua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2592 | Independence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Kailua
26.5%
Kailua +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Kailua
9.8%
Kailua +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Kailua
15.8%
Kailua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Kailua
3.7%
Kailua +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Kailua
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Kailua
14.9%
Kailua +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 26.5% | Kailua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.8% | Kailua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 15.8% | Kailua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 3.7% | Kailua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 18.3% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.9% | Kailua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Kailua
69.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
Kailua
107.9 in
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 69.3°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 107.9 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Kailua
3.3 µg/m³
Kailua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Kailua
75.0%
Kailua +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 3.3 µg/m³ | Kailua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kailua + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Kailua
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kailua, HI | 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, Kailua is safer with a violent crime rate of 276 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Kailua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kailua scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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