Independence MO vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 72.2% | 51.9% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 10.3% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $45,845 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $27,570 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.4% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 29.6% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Syracuse
$215,134
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $215,134 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 41.3% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 434 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Independence +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Syracuse
16.1%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 41.5% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 20.8% | Independence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 16.1% | Syracuse + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Syracuse
41.5 in
Syracuse +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 41.5 in | Syracuse + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Syracuse is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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