Independence MO vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 9.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 72.2% | 63.7% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 4.2% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 19.5% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $240,538 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 47.2% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Independence +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Independence, MO | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³).
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