Independence MO vs Lynn MA — 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%
Lynn, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,905
- Median HH Income$74,715
- Median Home Price$584,482
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Lynn
100,905
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Lynn
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Lynn
36.8
Lynn +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Lynn
44.6%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Lynn
12.1%
Lynn +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Lynn
6.0%
Lynn +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 100,905 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 36.8 | Lynn + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 35.7% | Lynn + |
| White | 72.2% | 44.6% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 12.1% | Lynn + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 6.0% | Lynn + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 42.5% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Lynn
$74,715
Lynn +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Lynn
$35,083
Lynn +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Lynn
4.6%
Lynn +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Lynn
13.7%
Lynn +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Lynn
23.3%
Lynn +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $74,715 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $35,083 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $85,405 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.6% | Lynn + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 13.7% | Lynn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 23.3% | Lynn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Lynn
$584,482
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Lynn
50.4%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $584,482 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 50.4% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Lynn
326
Lynn +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 326 | Lynn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1086 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Lynn
33.8%
Lynn +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Lynn
12.3%
Lynn +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Lynn
17.6%
Lynn +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Lynn
11.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Lynn
14.8%
Lynn +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Lynn
14.6%
Lynn +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 33.8% | Lynn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.3% | Lynn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 17.6% | Lynn + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.8% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.8% | Lynn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.6% | Lynn + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Lynn
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Lynn
75.0%
Lynn +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lynn + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lynn + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Lynn
33.8 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 33.8 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynn leads in median household income at $74,715, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Lynn is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Lynn has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Lynn has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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