Independence MO vs Wichita Falls 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Wichita Falls
7.2%
Wichita Falls +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Wichita Falls +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 102,558 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 7.2% | Wichita Falls + |
| White | 72.2% | 70.1% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 12.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.7% | Wichita Falls + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Wichita Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Wichita Falls
25.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $58,568 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $31,987 | Wichita Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 17.4% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 25.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Wichita Falls
57.0%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 57.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Wichita Falls
442
Wichita Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Wichita Falls
2339
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 442 | Wichita Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2339 | Wichita Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Wichita Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Wichita Falls
18.8%
Wichita Falls +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Wichita Falls
14.9%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.6% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 18.8% | Wichita Falls + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 16.9% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 17.8% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.9% | Wichita Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 63.4°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Wichita Falls +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Wichita Falls
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Independence, MO | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Wichita Falls + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Wichita Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Wichita Falls has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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