Independence MO vs Yonkers NY — 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%
Yonkers, NY
New York · Population: 209,529
- Median HH Income$81,816
- Median Home Price$685,544
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+35.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Independence
121,944
Yonkers
209,529
Yonkers +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Independence +
Yonkers
39.0
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Yonkers
32.6%
Yonkers +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Yonkers
38.0%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Yonkers
17.3%
Yonkers +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Yonkers
5.1%
Yonkers +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Yonkers
44.4%
Yonkers +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 209,529 | Yonkers + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 39.0 | Independence + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 32.6% | Yonkers + |
| White | 72.2% | 38.0% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 17.3% | Yonkers + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 5.1% | Yonkers + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 44.4% | Yonkers + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Yonkers
$81,816
Yonkers +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Yonkers
$42,770
Yonkers +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Yonkers
$77,425
Yonkers +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Yonkers
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Yonkers
14.7%
Yonkers +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Yonkers
35.2%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $81,816 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $42,770 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,425 | Yonkers + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.4% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 14.7% | Yonkers + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 35.2% | Yonkers + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Yonkers
$685,544
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Yonkers
47.2%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $685,544 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 47.2% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Yonkers
434
Yonkers +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Yonkers
1736
Yonkers +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 434 | Yonkers + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1736 | Yonkers + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Yonkers
29.3%
Yonkers +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Yonkers
12.4%
Yonkers +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Yonkers
15.2%
Yonkers +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Yonkers
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Yonkers
14.3%
Yonkers +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Yonkers
11.9%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 29.3% | Yonkers + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.4% | Yonkers + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 15.2% | Yonkers + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.7% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.3% | Yonkers + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.9% | Yonkers + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Yonkers
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Yonkers, NY | 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
Yonkers
8.1 µg/m³
Yonkers +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Yonkers
75.0%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Yonkers + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Yonkers + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Yonkers
37.5 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 37.5 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Yonkers leads in median household income at $81,816, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Yonkers is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Yonkers has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Yonkers scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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