Independence MO vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Stamford
38.2
Stamford +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 135,806 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 38.2 | Stamford + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 72.2% | 49.1% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $708,498 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 47.5% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.3% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Independence, MO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 53.2 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Stamford +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stamford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 30.1 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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