Independence MO vs Riverside 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 72.2% | 39.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 6.0% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Riverside
$33,716
Riverside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Riverside
25.7%
Riverside +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $33,716 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.0% | Riverside + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 25.7% | Riverside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Riverside
56.3%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $648,603 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 56.3% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Independence +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Riverside
2388
Riverside +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Riverside + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Riverside
36.7%
Riverside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Riverside
18.5%
Riverside +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 36.7% | Riverside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.5% | Riverside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.6% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 66.8°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Riverside +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Riverside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 34.1 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, 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 Riverside. Riverside has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Riverside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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