Independence MO vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Meridian
37.4
Meridian +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Independence +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Independence
72.2%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Meridian
2.1%
Meridian +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 37.4 | Meridian + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 4.8% | Independence + |
| White | 72.2% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 10.8% | 1.6% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.1% | Meridian + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 9.5% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $57,074 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $534,732 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 17.6% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Meridian, ID | 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
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Meridian +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Meridian + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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