Independence MO vs Las Vegas NV — 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%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Independence +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Las Vegas
49.2%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 38.5 | Independence + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 72.2% | 49.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 11.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Las Vegas
27.3%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $38,421 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $62,696 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.2% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 27.3% | Las Vegas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Las Vegas
55.7%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $426,069 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 55.7% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Las Vegas
460
Las Vegas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Las Vegas
2417
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 460 | Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2417 | Las Vegas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Las Vegas
12.5%
Las Vegas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Las Vegas
19.5%
Las Vegas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Las Vegas
15.6%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 32.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.5% | Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 19.5% | Las Vegas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 17.0% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 15.6% | Las Vegas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 67.4°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Vegas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 27.7 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
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