Independence MO vs Omaha NE — 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%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Omaha
10.9%
Omaha +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Omaha
68.8%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.3 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 10.9% | Omaha + |
| White | 72.2% | 68.8% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 11.8% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.0% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 15.6% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Omaha
$66,354
Omaha +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $66,354 | Omaha + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Omaha
$297,017
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Omaha
57.7%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $297,017 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 57.7% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1960 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Omaha
14.2%
Omaha +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 37.5% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.0% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 20.0% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.2% | Omaha + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 51.1°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Omaha +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Omaha + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
Compare More Cities
Independence, MO vs New York, NYIndependence, MO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Independence, MOHouston, TX vs Independence, MOIndependence, MO vs Phoenix, AZIndependence, MO vs Philadelphia, PA