Independence MO vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 72.2% | 61.8% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 6.6% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 8.2% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $871,599 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 44.3% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Independence +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Independence, MO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3409 | Independence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 19.0% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 28.8 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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