Independence MO vs Kent 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%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Kent
67.2%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Kent
1.9%
Kent +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 84,389 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.8 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 14.1% | Kent + |
| White | 72.2% | 67.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 2.3% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.9% | Kent + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 31.8% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Kent
27.0%
Kent +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $72,867 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $35,662 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 13.9% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 27.0% | Kent + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $657,911 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Kent
383
Kent +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Independence +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 383 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3409 | Independence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Kent
17.2%
Kent +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 17.2% | Kent + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.6% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.7% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 53.2°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 39.1 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kent + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 23.0 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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