Independence MO vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Newark
1.9%
Newark +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 72.2% | 16.5% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.9% | Newark + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Independence +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $48,416 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $25,509 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 10.9% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 24.7% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 17.4% | Independence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $482,675 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 24.1% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Independence +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Newark
18.2%
Newark +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.6% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 20.0% | Independence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 23.4% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 18.2% | Newark + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Independence, MO | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 54.9°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 46.3 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 35.9 min | Independence + |
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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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