Independence MO vs Winston-Salem 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Winston-Salem
37.5
Winston-Salem +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Winston-Salem
5.7%
Winston-Salem +
White
Independence
72.2%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Independence
10.8%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Independence +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 118,578 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 37.5 | Winston-Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 5.7% | Winston-Salem + |
| White | 72.2% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 10.8% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.3% | Independence + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 8.9% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 16.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $265,013 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 46.8% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 42.7% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.1% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.8% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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