Independence MO vs Schenectady NY — 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%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Independence +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Schenectady
6.8%
Schenectady +
White
Independence
72.2%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 28,542 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 42.3 | Independence + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 6.8% | Schenectady + |
| White | 72.2% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 10.8% | 3.1% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 4.7% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Schenectady
57.5%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $321,835 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 57.5% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Schenectady
12.3%
Schenectady +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Schenectady
19.2%
Schenectady +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Schenectady
16.9%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 38.6% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 19.2% | Schenectady + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 16.9% | Schenectady + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Schenectady, NY | 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
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Schenectady + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 26.2 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Schenectady has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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