Independence MO vs Kansas City KS — 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%
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Kansas City
44.0%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 154,776 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 34.0 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 18.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 72.2% | 44.0% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 20.4% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 5.3% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 35.0% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Kansas City
$59,183
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Kansas City
$28,059
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Kansas City
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Independence +
Kansas City
20.2%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $59,183 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $28,059 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $61,860 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 17.9% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 20.2% | Independence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Kansas City
60.4%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $202,558 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 60.4% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 449 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2174 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Kansas City
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Kansas City
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Kansas City
18.3%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 41.2% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.6% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 17.6% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 18.4% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.3% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 18.3% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 38.1 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kansas City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 23.7 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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