Independence MO vs Toledo OH — 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%
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Toledo
268,461
Toledo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Toledo
35.7
Toledo +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Independence +
Toledo
3.4%
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Toledo
58.7%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Toledo
28.7%
Toledo +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Independence +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Toledo
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 268,461 | Toledo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.7 | Toledo + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 3.4% | Independence + |
| White | 72.2% | 58.7% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 28.7% | Toledo + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.4% | Independence + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 8.9% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Toledo
$47,532
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Toledo
$27,407
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Toledo
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Toledo
8.5%
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Toledo
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Toledo
21.0%
Toledo +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $47,532 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $27,407 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $58,300 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 8.5% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 24.5% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 21.0% | Toledo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Toledo
52.7%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 52.7% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Toledo
319
Toledo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Toledo
1866
Toledo +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 319 | Toledo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1866 | Toledo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Toledo
39.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Toledo
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Independence +
Toledo
20.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Toledo
11.3%
Toledo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Toledo
14.9%
Toledo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Independence +
Toledo
19.9%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 39.3% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.7% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 20.6% | Independence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.3% | Toledo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.9% | Toledo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 19.9% | Independence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Toledo
50.6°F
Toledo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Toledo
33.4 in
Toledo +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 50.6°F | Toledo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 33.4 in | Toledo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Independence +
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Toledo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Independence, MO | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Independence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Toledo
21.3 min
Toledo +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 21.3 min | Toledo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while toledo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $130,101. On public safety, Toledo is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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