Independence MO vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 72.2% | 21.8% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 1.4% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Independence +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $28,813 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.7% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 15.5% | Independence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $751,711 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 47.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Independence +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Salinas
2388
Salinas +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Salinas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Salinas
16.8%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 22.4% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.8% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 57.3°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 28.8 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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