Independence MO vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 72.2% | 53.7% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 7.8% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $411,323 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 57.1% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 450 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 17.3% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 72.1°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 27.7 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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