Independence MO vs Rancho Cucamonga CA — 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%
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
California · Population: 174,693
- Median HH Income$109,511
- Median Home Price$791,317
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693
Rancho Cucamonga +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Rancho Cucamonga
37.9
Rancho Cucamonga +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Rancho Cucamonga
21.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Rancho Cucamonga
44.0%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Rancho Cucamonga
8.3%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Rancho Cucamonga
15.4%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Rancho Cucamonga
38.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 174,693 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 37.9 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 21.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| White | 72.2% | 44.0% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 8.3% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 15.4% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 38.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Rancho Cucamonga
$109,511
Rancho Cucamonga +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Rancho Cucamonga
$45,626
Rancho Cucamonga +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Rancho Cucamonga
$77,230
Rancho Cucamonga +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
5.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Rancho Cucamonga
37.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $109,511 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $45,626 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 8.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 37.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Rancho Cucamonga
$791,317
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
63.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $791,317 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 63.3% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Independence +
Rancho Cucamonga
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Rancho Cucamonga
2388
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Rancho Cucamonga
30.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Rancho Cucamonga
10.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Rancho Cucamonga
16.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Rancho Cucamonga
8.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Rancho Cucamonga
15.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Rancho Cucamonga
10.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 30.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 16.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 8.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.1% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 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
Rancho Cucamonga
7.9 µg/m³
Rancho Cucamonga +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Rancho Cucamonga
75.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Rancho Cucamonga
34.6 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 34.6 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rancho Cucamonga leads in median household income at $109,511, 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 503 in Rancho Cucamonga. Rancho Cucamonga has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Rancho Cucamonga has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rancho Cucamonga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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