Independence MO vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 72.2% | 40.7% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 13.3% | Providence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.4% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 20.1% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $429,449 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 41.2% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Providence
19.6%
Providence +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 19.6% | Providence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 14.6% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.7% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 27.4 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
Compare More Cities
Independence, MO vs New York, NYIndependence, MO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Independence, MOHouston, TX vs Independence, MOIndependence, MO vs Phoenix, AZIndependence, MO vs Philadelphia, PA