Independence MO vs Milwaukee WI — 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 72.2% | 36.5% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Milwaukee
26.6%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $51,888 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $29,679 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 23.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 26.6% | Milwaukee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Milwaukee
$226,456
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $226,456 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 41.5% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Milwaukee
19.1%
Milwaukee +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Milwaukee
17.3%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 41.8% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.7% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 19.1% | Milwaukee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 14.1% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 17.3% | Milwaukee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Independence, MO | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 24.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Milwaukee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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