Independence MO vs Warren MI — 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%
Warren, MI
Michigan · Population: 138,128
- Median HH Income$63,741
- Median Home Price$200,632
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+20.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Warren
138,128
Warren +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Warren
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Warren
37.9
Warren +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Warren
13.7%
Warren +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Warren
60.8%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Warren
20.9%
Warren +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Warren
11.9%
Warren +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Warren
2.8%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Warren
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 138,128 | Warren + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 37.9 | Warren + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 13.7% | Warren + |
| White | 72.2% | 60.8% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 20.9% | Warren + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 11.9% | Warren + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 2.8% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Warren
$63,741
Warren +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Warren
$32,162
Warren +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Warren
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Warren
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Warren
12.8%
Warren +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Independence +
Warren
20.4%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $63,741 | Warren + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $32,162 | Warren + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $58,052 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.4% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 12.8% | Warren + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 20.4% | Independence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Warren
$200,632
Warren +
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Warren
71.0%
Warren +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $200,632 | Warren + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 71.0% | Warren + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Warren
471
Warren +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Warren
1590
Warren +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 471 | Warren + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1590 | Warren + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Warren
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Warren
12.5%
Warren +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Warren
18.9%
Warren +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Warren
8.1%
Warren +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Warren
15.7%
Warren +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Warren
18.0%
Warren +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 39.1% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.5% | Warren + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.9% | Warren + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 8.1% | Warren + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.7% | Warren + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 18.0% | Warren + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Warren
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Warren
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Warren, MI | 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
Independence +
Warren
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Warren
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Independence, MO | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Independence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Warren
26.9 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 26.9 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Warren leads in median household income at $63,741, while warren offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $200,632. On public safety, Warren is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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