Independence MO vs Tulsa OK — 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%
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 412,322
- Median HH Income$58,407
- Median Home Price$220,279
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+33.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Tulsa
35.5
Tulsa +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Tulsa
57.0%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Tulsa
14.2%
Tulsa +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.5 | Tulsa + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 72.2% | 57.0% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 14.2% | Tulsa + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $58,407 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $57,929 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.1% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 18.6% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Tulsa
$220,279
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $220,279 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 52.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Tulsa
2375
Tulsa +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2375 | Tulsa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Tulsa
16.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 37.5% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.8% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 14.4% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 16.3% | Tulsa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Tulsa
41.0 in
Tulsa +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 60.8°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 41.0 in | Tulsa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
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, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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