Independence MO vs Odessa TX — 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%
Odessa, TX
Texas · Population: 114,080
- Median HH Income$73,030
- Median Home Price$253,423
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Odessa
114,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Odessa
51.9%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Odessa
6.8%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Odessa
1.9%
Odessa +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 114,080 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 14.5% | Odessa + |
| White | 72.2% | 51.9% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 6.8% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.9% | Odessa + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Independence +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $35,655 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,758 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.5% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 18.3% | Independence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Odessa
$253,423
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Odessa
59.2%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $253,423 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 59.2% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Odessa
442
Odessa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Odessa
2339
Odessa +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 442 | Odessa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2339 | Odessa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Odessa
39.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Odessa
12.9%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Odessa
14.0%
Odessa +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 39.4% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.9% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.0% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 25.4% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 18.1% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.0% | Odessa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 65.6°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Odessa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Odessa
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Independence, MO | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Odessa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 23.7 min | Odessa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Odessa is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Odessa has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Odessa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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