Independence MO vs Pueblo CO — 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%
Pueblo, CO
Colorado · Population: 111,514
- Median HH Income$55,305
- Median Home Price$286,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Pueblo
111,514
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Pueblo
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Pueblo
38.1
Pueblo +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Independence +
Pueblo
4.0%
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Pueblo
70.3%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Pueblo
2.7%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Independence +
Pueblo
0.8%
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Pueblo
48.4%
Pueblo +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Pueblo
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 111,514 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 38.1 | Pueblo + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 4.0% | Independence + |
| White | 72.2% | 70.3% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 2.7% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 0.8% | Independence + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 48.4% | Pueblo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Pueblo
$55,305
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Pueblo
$30,949
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Pueblo
$76,653
Pueblo +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Pueblo
5.9%
Pueblo +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Pueblo
19.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Pueblo
22.8%
Pueblo +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $55,305 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $30,949 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $76,653 | Pueblo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.9% | Pueblo + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 19.2% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 22.8% | Pueblo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Pueblo
$286,326
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Pueblo
60.8%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $286,326 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 60.8% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Independence +
Pueblo
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Independence +
Pueblo
3234
| Metric | Independence, MO | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 512 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3234 | Independence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Pueblo
33.5%
Pueblo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Pueblo
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Pueblo
18.0%
Pueblo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Pueblo
18.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Pueblo
15.6%
Pueblo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Pueblo
15.1%
Pueblo +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 33.5% | Pueblo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.5% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.0% | Pueblo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 18.9% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.6% | Pueblo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 15.1% | Pueblo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Pueblo
53.7°F
Pueblo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Pueblo
13.0 in
Pueblo +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 53.7°F | Pueblo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 13.0 in | Pueblo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Pueblo
6.2 µg/m³
Pueblo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Pueblo
75.0%
Pueblo +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Pueblo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Pueblo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Pueblo
21.1 min
Pueblo +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 21.1 min | Pueblo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Independence is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Pueblo. Pueblo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Pueblo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pueblo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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