Independence MO vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Salem
69.8%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 72.2% | 69.8% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 1.6% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $438,754 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 55.7% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Independence +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Independence, MO | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3001 | Independence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 41.4% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.6% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Independence, MO | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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