Independence MO vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Independence +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Plano
53.2%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 39.3 | Independence + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 72.2% | 53.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 9.0% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Plano
$63,758
Plano +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,758 | Plano + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Plano
56.6%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $507,575 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 56.6% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Plano
442
Plano +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Plano
2339
Plano +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 442 | Plano + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2339 | Plano + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.4% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Plano, TX | 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
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Plano +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Plano
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Independence, MO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Plano + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 27.6 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Plano is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Plano has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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