Independence MO vs Louisville 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Louisville
37.7
Louisville +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Louisville
63.1%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Louisville
2.6%
Louisville +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 37.7 | Louisville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 9.8% | Louisville + |
| White | 72.2% | 63.1% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 23.7% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.6% | Louisville + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 8.6% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Louisville
16.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $64,731 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $38,890 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $52,606 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 16.1% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 33.4% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Louisville
$264,957
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Louisville
60.6%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $264,957 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 60.6% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Louisville, 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
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Louisville
43.3 in
Louisville +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 43.3 in | Louisville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Louisville +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Louisville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 24.2 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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