Independence MO vs Spokane Valley 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Spokane Valley
37.6
Spokane Valley +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Independence +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Independence
72.2%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Spokane Valley +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 105,460 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 37.6 | Spokane Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 5.1% | Independence + |
| White | 72.2% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 10.8% | 1.4% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 7.5% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Spokane Valley +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Spokane Valley +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Spokane Valley +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Spokane Valley
24.8%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $70,722 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $35,235 | Spokane Valley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $76,120 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 12.9% | Spokane Valley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 24.8% | Spokane Valley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Spokane Valley
57.5%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $414,734 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 57.5% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Independence +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Independence, MO | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 383 | Spokane Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3409 | Independence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Spokane Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Spokane Valley
18.1%
Spokane Valley +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 35.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 17.2% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Spokane Valley, WA | 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
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane Valley leads in median household income at $70,722, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Spokane Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Spokane Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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