Independence MO vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Independence +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Independence
72.2%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 49.2 | Independence + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 72.2% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 10.8% | 2.0% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 9.4% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Scottsdale
$59,120
Scottsdale +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $59,120 | Scottsdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $858,307 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Scottsdale
450
Scottsdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 450 | Scottsdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2150 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 72.5°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Scottsdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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