Independence MO vs North Las Vegas NV — 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%

North Las Vegas, NV

Nevada · Population: 186,178

Median HH Income$58,874
Median Home Price$407,146
Unemployment9.4%
Bachelor's+23.9%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population

Independence

121,944

North Las Vegas

186,178

North Las Vegas +

Pop. Density / sq mi

Lower = more space

Independence

N/A

North Las Vegas

N/A

Median Age

Independence

38.4

Independence +

North Las Vegas

39.0

Foreign Born

Independence

5.3%

North Las Vegas

26.0%

North Las Vegas +

White

Independence

72.2%

Independence +

North Las Vegas

43.6%

Black

Independence

10.8%

North Las Vegas

11.3%

North Las Vegas +

Asian

Independence

1.4%

North Las Vegas

11.4%

North Las Vegas +

Hispanic

Independence

12.4%

North Las Vegas

34.6%

North Las Vegas +

Spanish at Home

Independence

N/A

North Las Vegas

N/A

Metric	Independence, MO	North Las Vegas, NV	Better
Population	121,944	186,178	North Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space	N/A	N/A	-
Median Age	38.4	39.0	Independence +
Foreign Born	5.3%	26.0%	North Las Vegas +
White	72.2%	43.6%	Independence +
Black	10.8%	11.3%	North Las Vegas +
Asian	1.4%	11.4%	North Las Vegas +
Hispanic	12.4%	34.6%	North Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home	N/A	N/A	-

Economy

Median HH Income

Independence

$59,480

Independence +

North Las Vegas

$58,874

Per Capita Income

Independence

$31,683

North Las Vegas

$35,069

North Las Vegas +

Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)

BEA MSA-level

Independence

$58,527

North Las Vegas

$62,696

North Las Vegas +

Unemployment Rate

Independence

6.0%

Independence +

North Las Vegas

9.4%

Poverty Rate

Independence

15.3%

Independence +

North Las Vegas

16.8%

Bachelor's Degree+

Independence

20.9%

North Las Vegas

23.9%

North Las Vegas +

Metric	Independence, MO	North Las Vegas, NV	Better
Median HH Income	$59,480	$58,874	Independence +
Per Capita Income	$31,683	$35,069	North Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level	$58,527	$62,696	North Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate	6.0%	9.4%	Independence +
Poverty Rate	15.3%	16.8%	Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+	20.9%	23.9%	North Las Vegas +

Housing

Median Home Value

Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS

Independence

$210,384

Independence +

North Las Vegas

$407,146

Homeownership Rate

Independence

61.0%

Independence +

North Las Vegas

41.2%

Metric	Independence, MO	North Las Vegas, NV	Better
Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS	$210,384	$407,146	Independence +
Homeownership Rate	61.0%	41.2%	Independence +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K

FBI CDE (state-level est.)

Independence

501

North Las Vegas

460

North Las Vegas +

Property Crime / 100K

FBI CDE (state-level est.)

Independence

2418

North Las Vegas

2417

North Las Vegas +

Metric	Independence, MO	North Las Vegas, NV	Better
Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.)	501	460	North Las Vegas +
Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.)	2418	2417	North Las Vegas +

Health

Obesity Rate

CDC PLACES

Independence

37.3%

North Las Vegas

33.8%

North Las Vegas +

Diabetes Rate

CDC PLACES

Independence

12.9%

North Las Vegas

12.2%

North Las Vegas +

Poor Mental Health

CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month

Independence

19.9%

Independence +

North Las Vegas

20.7%

No Health Insurance

CDC PLACES

Independence

11.5%

Independence +

North Las Vegas

19.6%

Binge Drinking

CDC PLACES

Independence

16.8%

North Las Vegas

15.6%

North Las Vegas +

Current Smokers

CDC PLACES

Independence

18.4%

North Las Vegas

16.1%

North Las Vegas +

Metric	Independence, MO	North Las Vegas, NV	Better
Obesity RateCDC PLACES	37.3%	33.8%	North Las Vegas +
Diabetes RateCDC PLACES	12.9%	12.2%	North Las Vegas +
Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month	19.9%	20.7%	Independence +
No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES	11.5%	19.6%	Independence +
Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES	16.8%	15.6%	North Las Vegas +
Current SmokersCDC PLACES	18.4%	16.1%	North Las Vegas +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp

NOAA 1991–2020 normal

Independence

54.5°F

Independence +

North Las Vegas

68.8°F

Annual Precipitation

NOAA 1991–2020 normal

Independence

43.7 in

North Las Vegas

4.7 in

North Las Vegas +

Metric	Independence, MO	North Las Vegas, NV	Better
Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal	54.5°F	68.8°F	Independence +
Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal	43.7 in	4.7 in	North Las Vegas +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg

EPA AQS (state-level est.)

Independence

9.3 µg/m³

North Las Vegas

5.2 µg/m³

North Las Vegas +

Good Air Days

AQI ≤ 50

Independence

55.0%

North Las Vegas

75.0%

North Las Vegas +

Metric	Independence, MO	North Las Vegas, NV	Better
PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.)	9.3 µg/m³	5.2 µg/m³	North Las Vegas +
Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50	55.0%	75.0%	North Las Vegas +

Commute

Mean Commute Time

Census ACS

Independence

25.5 min

North Las Vegas

24.6 min

North Las Vegas +

Metric	Independence, MO	North Las Vegas, NV	Better
Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS	25.5 min	24.6 min	North Las Vegas +

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, North Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and North Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.

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About Independence & North Las Vegas

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