Independence MO vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 72.2% | 70.5% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 2.7% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $60,713 | Salt Lake City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $580,126 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 46.8% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.3% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salt Lake City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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