Independence MO vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Independence +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Independence +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Independence
10.8%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
West Palm Beach
2.5%
West Palm Beach +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 119,508 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 40.2 | Independence + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 72.2% | 44.0% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Independence, MO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Independence, MO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $399,650 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 50.2% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Independence, MO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Independence, MO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.7% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 16.9% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Independence, MO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 75.4°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 62.3 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Independence, MO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Independence, MO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 25.0 min | West Palm Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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