Independence MO vs Savannah 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%
Savannah, GA
Georgia · Population: 147,546
- Median HH Income$56,782
- Median Home Price$326,132
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+32.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Savannah
147,546
Savannah +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Savannah
6.7%
Savannah +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Savannah
37.2%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Savannah
2.9%
Savannah +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Savannah
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 147,546 | Savannah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 33.7 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 6.7% | Savannah + |
| White | 72.2% | 37.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 52.2% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.9% | Savannah + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 7.1% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Savannah
$56,782
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Savannah
$32,004
Savannah +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Savannah
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Savannah
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Savannah
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Savannah
32.0%
Savannah +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $56,782 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $32,004 | Savannah + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $57,405 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.7% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 19.5% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 32.0% | Savannah + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Savannah
$326,132
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Savannah
44.4%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $326,132 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 44.4% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Savannah
392
Savannah +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Savannah
1752
Savannah +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 392 | Savannah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1752 | Savannah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Savannah
34.5%
Savannah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Savannah
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Savannah
18.5%
Savannah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Savannah
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Savannah
15.6%
Savannah +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Savannah
14.7%
Savannah +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 34.5% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.6% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.5% | Savannah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.8% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.6% | Savannah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.7% | Savannah + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
Savannah
48.0 in
| Metric | Independence, MO | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 66.8°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 48.0 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Independence +
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Savannah
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Independence, MO | Savannah, 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
Savannah
22.2 min
Savannah +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 22.2 min | Savannah + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Savannah is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Savannah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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