Independence MO vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
San Antonio
3.1%
San Antonio +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 72.2% | 48.3% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 7.0% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.1% | San Antonio + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
San Antonio
$32,983
San Antonio +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
San Antonio
5.8%
San Antonio +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
San Antonio
17.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
San Antonio
28.7%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Independence, MO | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $62,917 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $32,983 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,758 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.8% | San Antonio + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 17.1% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 28.7% | San Antonio + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
San Antonio
$251,035
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
San Antonio
52.4%
| Metric | Independence, MO | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $251,035 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 52.4% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
San Antonio
442
San Antonio +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
San Antonio
2339
San Antonio +
| Metric | Independence, MO | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 442 | San Antonio + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2339 | San Antonio + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
San Antonio
16.0%
San Antonio +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Independence, MO | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 34.9% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.2% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 24.5% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.0% | San Antonio + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Independence, MO | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 68.5°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
San Antonio +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
San Antonio
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Independence, MO | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Antonio + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 26.5 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, San Antonio is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and San Antonio has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
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