Independence MO vs San Marcos 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 Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Independence +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
San Marcos
5.8%
San Marcos +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
San Marcos
66.6%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Independence +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 99,507 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 5.8% | San Marcos + |
| White | 72.2% | 66.6% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 4.3% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.4% | Independence + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
San Marcos
$33,835
San Marcos +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
San Marcos
24.9%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Independence, MO | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $33,835 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 24.9% | San Marcos + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Independence, MO | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $313,452 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
| Metric | Independence, MO | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 442 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2339 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Independence +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Independence, MO | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 22.3% | Independence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 19.7% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 19.7% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Independence, MO | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 68.5°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
San Marcos +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
San Marcos
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Independence, MO | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Marcos + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Independence, MO | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and San Marcos has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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