Independence MO vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 7.7% | Norfolk + |
| White | 72.2% | 44.0% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 9.9% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.1% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 17.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $310,519 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 45.7% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Norfolk
19.4%
Norfolk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 39.9% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 19.4% | Norfolk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.9% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 17.1% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Independence, MO | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 60.6°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 50.8 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norfolk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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