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

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 +

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%

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 +

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 +

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 +

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 +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Salt Lake City
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%.

Compare More Cities

About Independence & Salt Lake City