Independence MO vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Reno
37.3
Reno +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Reno
63.5%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 37.3 | Reno + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 72.2% | 63.5% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 3.2% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $62,696 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 35.7% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $570,934 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 49.4% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Reno
460
Reno +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Reno
2417
Reno +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 460 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2417 | Reno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Reno
18.5%
Reno +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.5% | Reno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.0% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 18.9% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Reno
75.0%
Reno +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Reno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Reno is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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