Independence MO vs New Rochelle NY — 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 Rochelle, NY
New York · Population: 48,198
- Median HH Income$48,535
- Median Home Price$920,484
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Independence +
New Rochelle
48,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
New Rochelle
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Independence +
New Rochelle
40.7
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Independence +
New Rochelle
4.6%
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
New Rochelle
66.1%
Black
Independence
10.8%
New Rochelle
17.8%
New Rochelle +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
New Rochelle
2.3%
New Rochelle +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
New Rochelle
8.0%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
New Rochelle
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 48,198 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 40.7 | Independence + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 4.6% | Independence + |
| White | 72.2% | 66.1% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 17.8% | New Rochelle + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.3% | New Rochelle + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 8.0% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
New Rochelle
$48,535
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
New Rochelle
$30,033
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
New Rochelle
$77,425
New Rochelle +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
New Rochelle
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
New Rochelle
23.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
New Rochelle
22.8%
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Independence, MO | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $48,535 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $30,033 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,425 | New Rochelle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 9.7% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 23.7% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 22.8% | New Rochelle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
New Rochelle
$920,484
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
New Rochelle
57.5%
| Metric | Independence, MO | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $920,484 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 57.5% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
New Rochelle
434
New Rochelle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
New Rochelle
1736
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Independence, MO | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 434 | New Rochelle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1736 | New Rochelle + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
New Rochelle
26.6%
New Rochelle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
New Rochelle
10.6%
New Rochelle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
New Rochelle
13.8%
New Rochelle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
New Rochelle
9.5%
New Rochelle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
New Rochelle
14.9%
New Rochelle +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
New Rochelle
9.3%
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Independence, MO | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 26.6% | New Rochelle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.6% | New Rochelle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 13.8% | New Rochelle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.5% | New Rochelle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.9% | New Rochelle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.3% | New Rochelle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
New Rochelle
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
New Rochelle
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | New Rochelle, NY | 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
New Rochelle
8.1 µg/m³
New Rochelle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
New Rochelle
75.0%
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Independence, MO | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New Rochelle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Rochelle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
New Rochelle
20.0 min
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Independence, MO | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 20.0 min | New Rochelle + |
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, New Rochelle is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and New Rochelle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Rochelle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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