Independence MO vs New Orleans LA — 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%
New Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
New Orleans
38.4
Tie
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
New Orleans
6.6%
New Orleans +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Independence
10.8%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 38.4 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 6.6% | New Orleans + |
| White | 72.2% | 31.6% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.8% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 7.9% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Independence, MO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $55,339 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $55,297 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.8% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 22.6% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
New Orleans
$245,988
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | Independence, MO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $245,988 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 50.5% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Independence +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Independence +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Independence, MO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 643 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2824 | Independence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
New Orleans
19.4%
New Orleans +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
New Orleans
15.5%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Independence, MO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.1% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 19.4% | New Orleans + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 19.7% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 15.5% | New Orleans + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Independence, MO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 66.6 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Independence, MO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | New Orleans + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Orleans + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
| Metric | Independence, MO | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 24.6 min | New Orleans + |
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, Independence is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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