Independence MO vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
White
Independence
72.2%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Provo
2.2%
Provo +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 114,303 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 12.2% | Provo + |
| White | 72.2% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 10.8% | 1.1% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.2% | Provo + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 18.9% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Provo
$62,800
Provo +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Provo
$60,713
Provo +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $62,800 | Provo + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $26,755 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $60,713 | Provo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 22.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $486,127 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 39.9% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Provo
1931
Provo +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1931 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Independence +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Provo
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 30.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 21.5% | Independence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.6% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 53.4°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 19.8 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Provo
75.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Provo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Provo leads in median household income at $62,800, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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