Independence MO vs Santa Rosa 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 Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 129,239 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 72.2% | 31.9% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 2.1% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $720,443 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 41.2% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Independence +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Santa Rosa
2388
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Santa Rosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 59.2°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Rosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 25.2 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, 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 Rosa. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Santa Rosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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