Independence MO vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Waco
2.0%
Waco +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 72.2% | 54.0% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.0% | Waco + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $51,468 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $28,819 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 24.0% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 48.9% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Independence +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.0% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 20.4% | Independence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 20.4% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 66.6°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Independence, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
Compare More Cities
Independence, MO vs New York, NYIndependence, MO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Independence, MOHouston, TX vs Independence, MOIndependence, MO vs Phoenix, AZIndependence, MO vs Philadelphia, PA