Independence MO vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Independence +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Independence
10.8%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
South Bend
1.7%
South Bend +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 102,866 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 72.2% | 54.1% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.7% | South Bend + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
South Bend
6.0%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Independence, MO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $52,512 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $29,511 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.0% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 22.6% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | Independence, MO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 58.8% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Independence, MO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Independence +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
South Bend
18.2%
South Bend +
| Metric | Independence, MO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 39.7% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.2% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 20.3% | Independence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.6% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 18.2% | South Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Independence, MO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Independence +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Independence, MO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Independence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Independence, MO | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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