Independence MO vs Tallahassee 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Tallahassee
8.0%
Tallahassee +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 8.0% | Tallahassee + |
| White | 72.2% | 50.7% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 8.6% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $55,931 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $35,704 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.5% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 23.2% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Tallahassee
$293,664
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $293,664 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 39.5% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Independence +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Tallahassee
16.7%
Tallahassee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 20.3% | Independence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.2% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 67.6°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 58.1 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tallahassee + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
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, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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