Independence MO vs Pembroke Pines FL — 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%
Pembroke Pines, FL
Florida · Population: 170,557
- Median HH Income$81,675
- Median Home Price$488,550
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Pembroke Pines
170,557
Pembroke Pines +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Pembroke Pines
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Independence +
Pembroke Pines
43.7
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Pembroke Pines
39.5%
Pembroke Pines +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Pembroke Pines
43.9%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Pembroke Pines
21.2%
Pembroke Pines +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Pembroke Pines
5.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Pembroke Pines
47.8%
Pembroke Pines +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Pembroke Pines
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 170,557 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 43.7 | Independence + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 39.5% | Pembroke Pines + |
| White | 72.2% | 43.9% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 21.2% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 5.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 47.8% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Pembroke Pines
$81,675
Pembroke Pines +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Pembroke Pines
$39,881
Pembroke Pines +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Pembroke Pines
$65,328
Pembroke Pines +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Pembroke Pines
4.2%
Pembroke Pines +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Pembroke Pines
10.2%
Pembroke Pines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Pembroke Pines
38.1%
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $81,675 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $39,881 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $65,328 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.2% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 10.2% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 38.1% | Pembroke Pines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Pembroke Pines
$488,550
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Pembroke Pines
70.8%
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $488,550 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 70.8% | Pembroke Pines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Pembroke Pines
324
Pembroke Pines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Pembroke Pines
1453
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 324 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1453 | Pembroke Pines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Pembroke Pines
29.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Pembroke Pines
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Pembroke Pines
14.5%
Pembroke Pines +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Pembroke Pines
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Pembroke Pines
14.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Pembroke Pines
9.7%
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 29.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.4% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 14.5% | Pembroke Pines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 17.3% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.7% | Pembroke Pines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Pembroke Pines
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Pembroke Pines
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Pembroke Pines
7.2 µg/m³
Pembroke Pines +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Pembroke Pines
75.0%
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Pembroke Pines + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Pembroke Pines
33.2 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 33.2 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pembroke Pines leads in median household income at $81,675, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Pembroke Pines is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Pembroke Pines has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Pembroke Pines has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pembroke Pines scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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