Independence MO vs Miami Gardens FL — 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%
Miami Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Miami Gardens
11,627
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Miami Gardens
37.7
Miami Gardens +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Miami Gardens +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Miami Gardens +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 11,627 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 37.7 | Miami Gardens + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 29.1% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 72.2% | 52.5% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 15.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 34.0% | Miami Gardens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Miami Gardens +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $137,873 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $57,003 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $65,328 | Miami Gardens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.5% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 7.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 64.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $472,888 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 86.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 324 | Miami Gardens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1453 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Miami Gardens +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Miami Gardens +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Miami Gardens
15.4%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 34.3% | Miami Gardens + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 17.3% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 17.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 22.4% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 12.7% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 15.4% | Miami Gardens + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Miami Gardens
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Miami Gardens, FL | 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
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Miami Gardens + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 29.2 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Miami Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami Gardens scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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