Independence MO vs Sacramento 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Sacramento
35.7
Sacramento +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Sacramento
12.4%
Sacramento +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.7 | Sacramento + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 72.2% | 36.8% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 12.4% | Sacramento + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $42,300 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.2% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 14.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 36.4% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Sacramento
$480,548
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Sacramento
51.5%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $480,548 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 51.5% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Independence +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Sacramento
2388
Sacramento +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Sacramento + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Sacramento
17.9%
Sacramento +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 17.9% | Sacramento + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.0% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.9% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 61.0°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sacramento + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Sacramento
27.0 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 27.0 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, 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 Sacramento. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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