Independence MO vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Mesa
69.7%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Mesa
2.5%
Mesa +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 37.2 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 11.2% | Mesa + |
| White | 72.2% | 69.7% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 4.4% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.5% | Mesa + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Mesa
$59,120
Mesa +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $59,120 | Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 31.5% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $435,670 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 450 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.0% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 71.8°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Mesa +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mesa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 26.7 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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