Independence MO vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Wilmington
2.3%
Wilmington +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 72.2% | 48.7% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.3% | Wilmington + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $57,673 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 17.9% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $419,326 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 54.6% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 17.5% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Independence, MO | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 63.8°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 58.4 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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