Independence MO vs Wichita KS — 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, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Wichita
35.7
Wichita +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Wichita
10.0%
Wichita +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Wichita
66.6%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.7 | Wichita + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 10.0% | Wichita + |
| White | 72.2% | 66.6% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 9.7% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Wichita
$61,860
Wichita +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Wichita
30.9%
Wichita +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $61,860 | Wichita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 15.9% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 30.9% | Wichita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Wichita
58.4%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 58.4% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Wichita
449
Wichita +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Wichita
2174
Wichita +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 449 | Wichita + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2174 | Wichita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Wichita
12.6%
Wichita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Wichita
16.3%
Wichita +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 39.5% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.6% | Wichita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.9% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 16.3% | Wichita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 57.0°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Wichita +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wichita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita leads in median household income at $63,072, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Wichita is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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