Independence MO vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Lexington
69.9%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Lexington
9.2%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 72.2% | 69.9% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 14.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 9.2% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Lexington
5.0%
Lexington +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $52,606 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.0% | Lexington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 15.7% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $332,727 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 53.6% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
Lexington
45.2 in
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 55.6°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 45.2 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Lexington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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