Independence MO vs Lakeland FL — 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Independence +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Independence
72.2%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 82,506 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 48.4 | Independence + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 72.2% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 10.8% | 8.8% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Lakeland
26.8%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $60,465 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $36,322 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 26.8% | Lakeland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Lakeland
$312,001
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $312,001 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Lakeland
18.3%
Lakeland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 38.9% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.3% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.3% | Lakeland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 16.4% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.1% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 72.6°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 54.8 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakeland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 25.6 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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