Independence MO vs Little Rock AR — 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%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 36.4 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 7.9% | Little Rock + |
| White | 72.2% | 46.4% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.0% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 10.4% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Little Rock
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $60,583 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $53,714 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 16.4% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Little Rock
$216,863
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Little Rock
54.2%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $216,863 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 54.2% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Independence +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Independence +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Independence, MO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 660 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2507 | Independence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 40.5% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.1% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Independence, MO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 62.7°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 50.0 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Independence +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Independence, MO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Independence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, 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 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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