Independence MO vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Memphis
1.7%
Memphis +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Memphis
10.2%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 34.3 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 7.4% | Memphis + |
| White | 72.2% | 25.0% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.7% | Memphis + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 10.2% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $51,211 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $32,314 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $59,097 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 8.3% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 22.5% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 28.2% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 46.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Independence +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 639 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2350 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Independence +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Independence +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 42.1% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 17.6% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 20.7% | Independence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 14.9% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 19.9% | Independence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Memphis
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Independence, MO | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 60.9°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 54.9 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 22.9 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Independence is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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