Independence MO vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 72.2% | 36.1% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 8.4% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 22.0% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Philadelphia
$233,814
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $233,814 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 52.3% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Independence, MO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 57.1°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 48.5 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Independence +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Independence, MO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Independence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 34.5 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³).
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