Independence MO vs Springfield IL — 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Independence +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Independence +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Springfield
70.5%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Springfield
2.9%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 113,714 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 40.7 | Independence + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 4.5% | Independence + |
| White | 72.2% | 70.5% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 19.8% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.9% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 3.4% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $65,537 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $68,110 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.7% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 16.5% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 35.1% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 344 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1842 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Springfield
12.9%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Springfield
16.7%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 41.1% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.9% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.7% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.7% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 37.7 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Independence +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Independence, MO | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Independence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $65,537, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Independence 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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