Independence MO vs Nashville TN — 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%

Nashville, TN

Tennessee · Population: N/A

Median HH IncomeN/A
Median Home Price$436,355
UnemploymentN/A
Bachelor's+N/A

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population

Independence

121,944

Nashville

N/A

Pop. Density / sq mi

Lower = more space

Independence

N/A

Nashville

N/A

Median Age

Independence

38.4

Nashville

N/A

Foreign Born

Independence

5.3%

Nashville

N/A

White

Independence

72.2%

Nashville

N/A

Black

Independence

10.8%

Nashville

N/A

Asian

Independence

1.4%

Nashville

N/A

Hispanic

Independence

12.4%

Nashville

N/A

Spanish at Home

Independence

N/A

Nashville

N/A

Metric	Independence, MO	Nashville, TN	Better
Population	121,944	N/A	-
Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space	N/A	N/A	-
Median Age	38.4	N/A	-
Foreign Born	5.3%	N/A	-
White	72.2%	N/A	-
Black	10.8%	N/A	-
Asian	1.4%	N/A	-
Hispanic	12.4%	N/A	-
Spanish at Home	N/A	N/A	-

Economy

Median HH Income

Independence

$59,480

Nashville

N/A

Per Capita Income

Independence

$31,683

Nashville

N/A

Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)

BEA MSA-level

Independence

$58,527

Nashville

$59,097

Nashville +

Unemployment Rate

Independence

6.0%

Nashville

N/A

Poverty Rate

Independence

15.3%

Nashville

N/A

Bachelor's Degree+

Independence

20.9%

Nashville

N/A

Metric	Independence, MO	Nashville, TN	Better
Median HH Income	$59,480	N/A	-
Per Capita Income	$31,683	N/A	-
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level	$58,527	$59,097	Nashville +
Unemployment Rate	6.0%	N/A	-
Poverty Rate	15.3%	N/A	-
Bachelor's Degree+	20.9%	N/A	-

Housing

Median Home Value

Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS

Independence

$210,384

Independence +

Nashville

$436,355

Homeownership Rate

Independence

61.0%

Nashville

N/A

Metric	Independence, MO	Nashville, TN	Better
Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS	$210,384	$436,355	Independence +
Homeownership Rate	61.0%	N/A	-

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K

FBI CDE (state-level est.)

Independence

501

Independence +

Nashville

639

Property Crime / 100K

FBI CDE (state-level est.)

Independence

2418

Nashville

2350

Nashville +

Metric	Independence, MO	Nashville, TN	Better
Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.)	501	639	Independence +
Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.)	2418	2350	Nashville +

Health

Obesity Rate

CDC PLACES

Independence

37.3%

Nashville

N/A

Diabetes Rate

CDC PLACES

Independence

12.9%

Nashville

N/A

Poor Mental Health

CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month

Independence

19.9%

Nashville

N/A

No Health Insurance

CDC PLACES

Independence

11.5%

Nashville

N/A

Binge Drinking

CDC PLACES

Independence

16.8%

Nashville

N/A

Current Smokers

CDC PLACES

Independence

18.4%

Nashville

N/A

Metric	Independence, MO	Nashville, TN	Better
Obesity RateCDC PLACES	37.3%	N/A	-
Diabetes RateCDC PLACES	12.9%	N/A	-
Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month	19.9%	N/A	-
No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES	11.5%	N/A	-
Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES	16.8%	N/A	-
Current SmokersCDC PLACES	18.4%	N/A	-

Climate

Avg Annual Temp

NOAA 1991–2020 normal

Independence

54.5°F

Nashville

N/A

Annual Precipitation

NOAA 1991–2020 normal

Independence

43.7 in

Independence +

Nashville

47.9 in

Metric	Independence, MO	Nashville, TN	Better
Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal	54.5°F	N/A	-
Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal	43.7 in	47.9 in	Independence +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg

EPA AQS (state-level est.)

Independence

9.3 µg/m³

Nashville

8.9 µg/m³

Nashville +

Good Air Days

AQI ≤ 50

Independence

55.0%

Nashville

75.0%

Nashville +

Metric	Independence, MO	Nashville, TN	Better
PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.)	9.3 µg/m³	8.9 µg/m³	Nashville +
Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50	55.0%	75.0%	Nashville +

Commute

Mean Commute Time

Census ACS

Independence

25.5 min

Nashville

N/A

Metric	Independence, MO	Nashville, TN	Better
Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS	25.5 min	N/A	-

Which City is Right for You?

Independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Independence is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Nashville. Nashville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).

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