Independence MO vs Los Angeles CA — 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%
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Los Angeles
36.9
Los Angeles +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Los Angeles
37.3%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Los Angeles
8.5%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 3,857,897 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 36.9 | Los Angeles + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 35.8% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 72.2% | 37.3% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 8.5% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 12.0% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 47.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Los Angeles
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Los Angeles
16.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Los Angeles
37.8%
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $80,366 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $46,270 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.9% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 16.6% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 37.8% | Los Angeles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Los Angeles
$956,465
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Los Angeles
36.3%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $956,465 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 36.3% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Independence +
Los Angeles
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Los Angeles
2388
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Los Angeles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Los Angeles
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Los Angeles
15.9%
Los Angeles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 27.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 17.4% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.2% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.9% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 62.6°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 12.8 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Los Angeles
75.0%
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Los Angeles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Los Angeles
33.8 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 33.8 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, 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 503 in Los Angeles. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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