Independence MO vs Sandy 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Sandy
36.9
Sandy +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Independence
72.2%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 94,723 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 36.9 | Sandy + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 72.2% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 10.8% | 0.8% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 11.3% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $60,713 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $672,082 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Sandy, UT | 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
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Sandy +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sandy + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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