Independence MO vs Westland 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Westland
38.2
Westland +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Westland
9.2%
Westland +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Westland
63.7%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Westland
22.6%
Westland +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Westland
3.8%
Westland +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 84,155 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 38.2 | Westland + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 9.2% | Westland + |
| White | 72.2% | 63.7% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 22.6% | Westland + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.8% | Westland + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 5.0% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Westland
$62,216
Westland +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Westland
$33,816
Westland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Westland
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Westland
5.3%
Westland +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Westland
13.3%
Westland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Westland
21.7%
Westland +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $62,216 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $33,816 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $58,052 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.3% | Westland + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 13.3% | Westland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 21.7% | Westland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Westland
$215,089
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Westland
61.1%
Westland +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $215,089 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 61.1% | Westland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Westland
471
Westland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 471 | Westland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Westland
34.7%
Westland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Westland
12.3%
Westland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Independence +
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Westland
15.6%
Westland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Westland
16.6%
Westland +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 34.7% | Westland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.3% | Westland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 20.0% | Independence + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.6% | Westland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 16.6% | Westland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Westland, 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 +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Westland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Independence, MO | Westland, 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 +
Westland
27.0 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 27.0 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westland leads in median household income at $62,216, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Westland is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Westland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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