Independence MO vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 72.2% | 41.5% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $46,628 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $30,451 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.9% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 26.6% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Rochester
$241,627
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $241,627 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 37.2% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Rochester
16.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 38.0% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.3% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.8% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 16.6% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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