Independence MO vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Independence
72.2%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 68,505 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 37.5 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 72.2% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 10.8% | 9.0% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 3.1% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $561,069 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 46.7% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 18.3% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Independence, MO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 47.3 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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