Independence MO vs Mesquite 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%
Mesquite, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$263,551
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Mesquite
148,848
Mesquite +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Mesquite
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Mesquite
33.4
Mesquite +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Mesquite
21.0%
Mesquite +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Mesquite
37.8%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Mesquite
24.7%
Mesquite +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Mesquite
3.0%
Mesquite +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Mesquite
44.7%
Mesquite +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Mesquite
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Mesquite, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 148,848 | Mesquite + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 33.4 | Mesquite + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 21.0% | Mesquite + |
| White | 72.2% | 37.8% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 24.7% | Mesquite + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.0% | Mesquite + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 44.7% | Mesquite + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Mesquite
$71,843
Mesquite +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Mesquite
$29,291
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Mesquite
$63,758
Mesquite +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Mesquite
4.8%
Mesquite +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Mesquite
12.4%
Mesquite +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Independence +
Mesquite
18.5%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Mesquite, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $71,843 | Mesquite + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $29,291 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,758 | Mesquite + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.8% | Mesquite + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 12.4% | Mesquite + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 18.5% | Independence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Mesquite
$263,551
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Mesquite
63.2%
Mesquite +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Mesquite, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $263,551 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 63.2% | Mesquite + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Mesquite
442
Mesquite +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Mesquite
2339
Mesquite +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Mesquite, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 442 | Mesquite + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2339 | Mesquite + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Mesquite
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Mesquite
12.9%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Mesquite
18.7%
Mesquite +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Mesquite
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Mesquite
13.4%
Mesquite +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Independence +
Mesquite
18.5%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Mesquite, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 46.4% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.9% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.7% | Mesquite + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 23.4% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 13.4% | Mesquite + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 18.5% | Independence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Mesquite
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Mesquite
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Mesquite, TX | 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
Mesquite
9.2 µg/m³
Mesquite +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Mesquite
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Independence, MO | Mesquite, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Mesquite + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Mesquite
35.6 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Mesquite, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 35.6 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesquite leads in median household income at $71,843, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Mesquite is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Mesquite has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Mesquite has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
Compare More Cities
Independence, MO vs New York, NYIndependence, MO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Independence, MOHouston, TX vs Independence, MOIndependence, MO vs Phoenix, AZIndependence, MO vs Philadelphia, PA