Independence MO vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Lakewood
38.0
Lakewood +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Lakewood
8.5%
Lakewood +
White
Independence
72.2%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 156,309 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 38.0 | Lakewood + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 8.5% | Lakewood + |
| White | 72.2% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 10.8% | 1.4% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.1% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Lakewood
58.1%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $575,076 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 58.1% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Independence +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Independence +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 512 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3234 | Independence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.6% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 19.7% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 51.4°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 17.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakewood + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 28.6 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, 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 512 in Lakewood. Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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