Independence MO vs Roswell GA — 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%
Roswell, GA
Georgia · Population: 92,577
- Median HH Income$124,422
- Median Home Price$662,209
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Roswell
92,577
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Independence +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Roswell
18.7%
Roswell +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Roswell
65.0%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Roswell
11.1%
Roswell +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Roswell
4.5%
Roswell +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Roswell
16.8%
Roswell +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 92,577 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 40.0 | Independence + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 18.7% | Roswell + |
| White | 72.2% | 65.0% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 11.1% | Roswell + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.5% | Roswell + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 16.8% | Roswell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Roswell
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $57,405 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.3% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $662,209 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Roswell
392
Roswell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Roswell
1752
Roswell +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 392 | Roswell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1752 | Roswell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Roswell
9.9%
Roswell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Roswell
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.1% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.9% | Roswell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 17.4% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Independence +
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Roswell
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Independence, MO | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Independence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Roswell
29.6 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 29.6 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Roswell is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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