Independence MO vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 72.2% | 58.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 5.0% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $54,546 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $31,152 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.4% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 18.8% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $324,946 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 51.7% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 15.7% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 69.8°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
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, Tucson is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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