Independence MO vs Plymouth MN — 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Independence +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Plymouth
13.6%
Plymouth +
White
Independence
72.2%
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Plymouth
5.0%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 79,526 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 40.7 | Independence + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 13.6% | Plymouth + |
| White | 72.2% | 74.8% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 10.8% | 5.0% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 10.1% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 4.7% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Plymouth
$69,467
Plymouth +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $69,467 | Plymouth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 64.8% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Plymouth
$514,358
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $514,358 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Plymouth
1992
Plymouth +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1992 | Plymouth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Plymouth
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 18.5% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 8.5% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Plymouth, MN | 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
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Plymouth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Plymouth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Plymouth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Plymouth
24.5 min
Plymouth +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 24.5 min | Plymouth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Plymouth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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