Independence MO vs Utica NY — 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%
Utica, NY
New York · Population: 51,054
- Median HH Income$57,688
- Median Home Price$205,924
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Utica
9.7%
Utica +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Utica
64.8%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Utica
16.9%
Utica +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Utica
9.8%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 51,054 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 9.7% | Utica + |
| White | 72.2% | 64.8% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 16.9% | Utica + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.3% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 9.8% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Utica
$57,688
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Utica
$35,780
Utica +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $57,688 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $35,780 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 9.4% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 23.8% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $205,924 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 36.8% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Utica
434
Utica +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Utica
1736
Utica +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 434 | Utica + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1736 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Utica
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Utica
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Utica
19.4%
Utica +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Utica
11.1%
Utica +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Utica
15.2%
Utica +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Independence +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 39.6% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.1% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 19.4% | Utica + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.1% | Utica + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.2% | Utica + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 18.7% | Independence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Utica
75.0%
Utica +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Utica + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Utica
22.7 min
Utica +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 22.7 min | Utica + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while utica offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,924. On public safety, Utica is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Utica has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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