Independence MO vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Richmond
2.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 8.6% | Richmond + |
| White | 72.2% | 43.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 10.3% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Richmond
6.0%
Richmond +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $62,671 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.0% | Richmond + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 18.8% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $374,265 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 43.5% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Richmond
18.8%
Richmond +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 36.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.8% | Richmond + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.2% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Richmond
43.6 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 58.9°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 43.6 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Richmond has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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