Independence MO vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 75,721 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 72.2% | 48.7% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 2.2% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 6.8% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $765,686 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 45.2% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Independence +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Independence, MO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3409 | Independence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Renton
40.1 in
Renton +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 53.2°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 40.1 in | Renton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Renton
75.0%
Renton +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Renton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 25.4 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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