Independence MO vs Lafayette LA — 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%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Lafayette
6.6%
Lafayette +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Lafayette
59.1%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 121,537 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 37.1 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 6.6% | Lafayette + |
| White | 72.2% | 59.1% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 28.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.1% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 7.6% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Lafayette
19.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $61,454 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $55,297 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 19.1% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Lafayette
$225,222
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Lafayette
55.0%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $225,222 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 55.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Independence +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Independence +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 643 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2824 | Independence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 34.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.0% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.4% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 17.8% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 16.1% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 67.6°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 61.0 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while 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 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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