Independence MO vs St. Charles MO — 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Independence +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
St. Charles
37.9
St. Charles +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Independence +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
Independence
72.2%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Independence +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 71,542 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 37.9 | St. Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 4.2% | Independence + |
| White | 72.2% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 10.8% | 6.7% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.4% | Independence + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 7.7% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
St. Charles
$58,527
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
St. Charles
22.7%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Independence, MO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $55,578 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $31,499 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $58,527 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.7% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 18.7% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 22.7% | St. Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Independence, MO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
St. Charles
501
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
St. Charles
2418
Tie
| Metric | Independence, MO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 501 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2418 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
St. Charles
18.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | Independence, MO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 35.9% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 18.4% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | St. Charles, MO | 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
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
St. Charles
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Independence, MO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | Independence, MO | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, St. Charles is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and St. Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
Compare More Cities
Independence, MO vs New York, NYIndependence, MO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Independence, MOHouston, TX vs Independence, MOIndependence, MO vs Phoenix, AZIndependence, MO vs Philadelphia, PA