Independence MO vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 72.2% | 59.4% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 10.5% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $496,966 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 56.5% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Independence +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3409 | Independence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 37.3% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.8% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 31.1 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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