Independence MO vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Independence +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Surprise
6.8%
Surprise +
White
Independence
72.2%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 41.6 | Independence + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 6.8% | Surprise + |
| White | 72.2% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 10.8% | 4.8% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.6% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $59,120 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $422,520 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 450 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 32.8 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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