Independence MO vs Sandy Springs GA — 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%
Sandy Springs, GA
Georgia · Population: 107,198
- Median HH Income$101,593
- Median Home Price$694,123
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+69.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Sandy Springs
37.1
Sandy Springs +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 107,198 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 37.1 | Sandy Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 72.2% | 59.3% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 11.4% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $57,405 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $694,123 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 50.7% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 392 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1752 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 17.8% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Sandy Springs, GA | 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
Independence +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Independence, MO | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Independence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 27.9 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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