Independence MO vs Lubbock TX — 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%
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Lubbock
6.2%
Lubbock +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Lubbock
64.6%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Lubbock
8.3%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Lubbock
2.8%
Lubbock +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 261,078 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 6.2% | Lubbock + |
| White | 72.2% | 64.6% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 8.3% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.8% | Lubbock + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 36.8% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Lubbock
$60,487
Lubbock +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Lubbock
$34,629
Lubbock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Lubbock
$63,758
Lubbock +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Lubbock
19.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $60,487 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $34,629 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,758 | Lubbock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 19.0% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 34.9% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Lubbock
$210,477
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Lubbock
50.8%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $210,477 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 50.8% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Lubbock
442
Lubbock +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Lubbock
2339
Lubbock +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 442 | Lubbock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2339 | Lubbock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Lubbock
18.5%
Lubbock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Lubbock
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Lubbock
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 35.8% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.5% | Lubbock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 18.4% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 17.6% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.0% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 21.1 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Lubbock +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Lubbock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lubbock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lubbock leads in median household income at $60,487, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Lubbock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Lubbock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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