Independence MO vs Visalia CA — 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Visalia
135,983
Visalia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 135,983 | Visalia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 72.2% | 36.5% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Independence +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $26,955 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 11.6% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 20.0% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 12.4% | Independence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Visalia
$397,983
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Visalia
58.5%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $397,983 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 58.5% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Independence +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Visalia
2388
Visalia +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Visalia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Visalia
17.9%
Visalia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Visalia
16.8%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 17.9% | Visalia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.0% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.8% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 63.3°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Visalia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 41.6 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Independence is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Visalia. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Visalia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Visalia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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