Independence MO vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Independence +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Santa Ana
66.9%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 91,535 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 42.9 | Independence + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 72.2% | 66.9% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 4.9% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.1% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $865,610 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 28.8% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Independence +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Santa Ana
2388
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Santa Ana + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Santa Ana
18.7%
Santa Ana +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.0% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.7% | Santa Ana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 20.7% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 65.6°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 28.0 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
Compare More Cities
Independence, MO vs New York, NYIndependence, MO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Independence, MOHouston, TX vs Independence, MOIndependence, MO vs Phoenix, AZIndependence, MO vs Philadelphia, PA