Independence MO vs St. George UT — 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. George, UT
Utah · Population: 99,184
- Median HH Income$72,870
- Median Home Price$456,900
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Independence +
St. George
99,184
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
St. George
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
St. George
37.9
St. George +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
St. George
7.4%
St. George +
White
Independence
72.2%
St. George
85.0%
St. George +
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
St. George
0.6%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Independence +
St. George
1.2%
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
St. George
12.7%
St. George +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
St. George
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 99,184 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 37.9 | St. George + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 7.4% | St. George + |
| White | 72.2% | 85.0% | St. George + |
| Black | 10.8% | 0.6% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.2% | Independence + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 12.7% | St. George + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
St. George
$72,870
St. George +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
St. George
$36,254
St. George +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
St. George
$60,713
St. George +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
St. George
3.5%
St. George +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
St. George
11.3%
St. George +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
St. George
34.1%
St. George +
| Metric | Independence, MO | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $72,870 | St. George + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $36,254 | St. George + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $60,713 | St. George + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.5% | St. George + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 11.3% | St. George + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 34.1% | St. George + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
St. George
$456,900
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
St. George
68.2%
St. George +
| Metric | Independence, MO | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $456,900 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 68.2% | St. George + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
St. George
245
St. George +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
St. George
1931
St. George +
| Metric | Independence, MO | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 245 | St. George + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1931 | St. George + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
St. George
32.9%
St. George +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
St. George
10.6%
St. George +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
St. George
16.0%
St. George +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
St. George
10.9%
St. George +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
St. George
9.7%
St. George +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
St. George
7.9%
St. George +
| Metric | Independence, MO | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 32.9% | St. George + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.6% | St. George + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 16.0% | St. George + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.9% | St. George + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 9.7% | St. George + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 7.9% | St. George + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
St. George
63.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
St. George
8.8 in
St. George +
| Metric | Independence, MO | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 63.9°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 8.8 in | St. George + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
St. George
7.0 µg/m³
St. George +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
St. George
75.0%
St. George +
| Metric | Independence, MO | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | St. George + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | St. George + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
St. George
17.9 min
St. George +
| Metric | Independence, MO | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 17.9 min | St. George + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. George leads in median household income at $72,870, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, St. George is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. St. George has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and St. George has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. George scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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