Independence MO vs Pasadena CA — 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%
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Pasadena
67,231
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Independence +
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Pasadena
48.4%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Pasadena
2.2%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Pasadena
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 67,231 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 42.5 | Independence + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 36.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 72.2% | 48.4% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 2.2% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 7.1% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $220,408 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $121,565 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 5.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 82.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Pasadena
54.2%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $1,215,642 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 54.2% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Independence +
Pasadena
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Pasadena
2388
Pasadena +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Pasadena
15.4%
Pasadena +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 24.2% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 14.9% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 8.2% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.4% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.2% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Pasadena
67.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Pasadena
21.2 in
Pasadena +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 67.0°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 21.2 in | Pasadena + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Pasadena + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 24.8 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Independence is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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