Independence MO vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Independence +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 107,699 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 4.7% | Independence + |
| White | 72.2% | 49.6% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 5.2% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $48,536 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $31,324 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $51,690 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.0% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 23.8% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $231,461 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 45.1% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Independence +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 42.6% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 21.3% | Independence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.5% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 65.0°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 55.0 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
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, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Tuscaloosa 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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