Independence MO vs Kennewick WA — 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%
Kennewick, WA
Washington · Population: 23,594
- Median HH Income$137,926
- Median Home Price$433,399
- Unemployment3.0%
- Bachelor's+57.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Kennewick
23,594
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Independence +
Kennewick
38.7
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Kennewick
22.3%
Kennewick +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Kennewick
67.9%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Kennewick
3.1%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Kennewick
14.8%
Kennewick +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Kennewick
10.7%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Kennewick
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 23,594 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 38.7 | Independence + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 22.3% | Kennewick + |
| White | 72.2% | 67.9% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 3.1% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 14.8% | Kennewick + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 10.7% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Kennewick
$137,926
Kennewick +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Kennewick
$70,195
Kennewick +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Kennewick
$76,120
Kennewick +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Kennewick
3.0%
Kennewick +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Kennewick
6.0%
Kennewick +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Kennewick
57.1%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $137,926 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $70,195 | Kennewick + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $76,120 | Kennewick + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.0% | Kennewick + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 6.0% | Kennewick + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 57.1% | Kennewick + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Kennewick
$433,399
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Kennewick
69.7%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $433,399 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 69.7% | Kennewick + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Kennewick
383
Kennewick +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Independence +
Kennewick
3409
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 383 | Kennewick + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3409 | Independence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Kennewick
37.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Kennewick
10.9%
Kennewick +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Kennewick
17.4%
Kennewick +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Kennewick
13.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Kennewick
16.7%
Kennewick +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Kennewick
11.6%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 37.4% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.9% | Kennewick + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 17.4% | Kennewick + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.1% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.7% | Kennewick + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.6% | Kennewick + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Kennewick
54.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Kennewick
7.7 in
Kennewick +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 54.7°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 7.7 in | Kennewick + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Kennewick
7.5 µg/m³
Kennewick +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Kennewick
75.0%
Kennewick +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kennewick + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kennewick + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Kennewick
32.4 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kennewick, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 32.4 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kennewick leads in median household income at $137,926, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Kennewick is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Kennewick has a lower unemployment rate at 3.0%, and Kennewick has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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