Independence MO vs San Bernardino 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%
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
San Bernardino
221,774
San Bernardino +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
San Bernardino
27.6%
Black
Independence
10.8%
San Bernardino
11.8%
San Bernardino +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
San Bernardino
4.1%
San Bernardino +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 221,774 | San Bernardino + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 31.9 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 22.9% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 72.2% | 27.6% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 11.8% | San Bernardino + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 69.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
San Bernardino
$63,988
San Bernardino +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
San Bernardino
$23,980
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
San Bernardino
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
San Bernardino
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Independence +
San Bernardino
12.8%
| Metric | Independence, MO | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $63,988 | San Bernardino + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $23,980 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | San Bernardino + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.5% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 19.5% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 12.8% | Independence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
San Bernardino
$492,059
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
San Bernardino
48.5%
| Metric | Independence, MO | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $492,059 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 48.5% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Independence +
San Bernardino
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
San Bernardino
2388
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Independence, MO | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | San Bernardino + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
San Bernardino
37.1%
San Bernardino +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
San Bernardino
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Independence +
San Bernardino
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
San Bernardino
20.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
San Bernardino
15.2%
San Bernardino +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
San Bernardino
15.1%
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Independence, MO | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 37.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.6% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 20.0% | Independence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 20.2% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.2% | San Bernardino + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 15.1% | San Bernardino + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
San Bernardino
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
San Bernardino +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
San Bernardino
75.0%
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Independence, MO | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Bernardino + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Bernardino + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
San Bernardino
30.7 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 30.7 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Bernardino leads in median household income at $63,988, 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 San Bernardino. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and San Bernardino has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Bernardino scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
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