Independence MO vs St. Petersburg FL — 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. Petersburg, FL
Florida · Population: 260,646
- Median HH Income$73,118
- Median Home Price$331,500
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Independence +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
St. Petersburg
10.1%
St. Petersburg +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
St. Petersburg
66.2%
Black
Independence
10.8%
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
St. Petersburg
3.1%
St. Petersburg +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 260,646 | St. Petersburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 43.1 | Independence + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 10.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| White | 72.2% | 66.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 19.4% | St. Petersburg + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 9.3% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
St. Petersburg
$73,118
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
St. Petersburg
$65,328
St. Petersburg +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Independence, MO | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $73,118 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $49,823 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $65,328 | St. Petersburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 11.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 41.3% | St. Petersburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
St. Petersburg
$331,500
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
St. Petersburg
63.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Independence, MO | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $331,500 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 63.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Independence, MO | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 324 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1453 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
St. Petersburg
32.7%
St. Petersburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
St. Petersburg
12.2%
St. Petersburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
St. Petersburg
11.1%
St. Petersburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
St. Petersburg
12.4%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Independence, MO | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 32.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.4% | St. Petersburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | St. Petersburg, FL | 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. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Independence, MO | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 26.8 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Petersburg leads in median household income at $73,118, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, St. Petersburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. St. Petersburg has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and St. Petersburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Petersburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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