Independence MO vs Shreveport LA — 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%
Shreveport, LA
Louisiana · Population: 183,483
- Median HH Income$48,465
- Median Home Price$146,463
- Unemployment8.9%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Shreveport
183,483
Shreveport +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Shreveport
37.5
Shreveport +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Independence +
Shreveport
2.6%
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Shreveport
36.5%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Shreveport
1.5%
Shreveport +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Shreveport
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 183,483 | Shreveport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 37.5 | Shreveport + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 2.6% | Independence + |
| White | 72.2% | 36.5% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 56.1% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.5% | Shreveport + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 3.9% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Shreveport
$48,465
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Shreveport
$33,788
Shreveport +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Shreveport
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Shreveport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Shreveport
23.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Shreveport
27.5%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $48,465 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $33,788 | Shreveport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $55,297 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 8.9% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 23.6% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 27.5% | Shreveport + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Shreveport
53.8%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $146,463 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 53.8% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Independence +
Shreveport
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Independence +
Shreveport
2824
| Metric | Independence, MO | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 643 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2824 | Independence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Shreveport
43.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Shreveport
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Independence +
Shreveport
20.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Shreveport
9.6%
Shreveport +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Shreveport
14.5%
Shreveport +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Independence +
Shreveport
19.1%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 43.1% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 17.6% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 20.1% | Independence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.6% | Shreveport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.5% | Shreveport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 19.1% | Independence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Shreveport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
Shreveport
52.7 in
| Metric | Independence, MO | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 52.7 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Shreveport +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Shreveport
75.0%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Shreveport + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Shreveport + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Shreveport
20.5 min
Shreveport +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 20.5 min | Shreveport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Independence is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Shreveport. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Shreveport has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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