Independence, MO vs Blue Springs, MO
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Independence, MO and Blue Springs, MO spend within 1.7% of each other per resident — $8,176 versus $8,040 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
On the CitySpend Fiscal Health Score the two are level: Independence, MO and Blue Springs, MO both land at 80/100 (grade A and A respectively), so the deciding factors sit in the underlying six-factor breakdown rather than the rolled-up grade.
Independence, MO reports no outstanding debt per resident in its Census filing, while Blue Springs, MO carries $40 per resident. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: parks and recreation leads in Independence, MO at $611 per resident and in Blue Springs, MO at $1,041.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 100% of total revenue in Independence, MO and 100% in Blue Springs, MO.
Summary
Independence spends 1.7% more per capita than Blue Springs ($135/person difference). Both cities share the same Fiscal Health Score.
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $1 | $0 |
| Sales Tax | $480 | $472 |
| Intergovernmental | $38,346 | $16,987 |
| Charges & Fees | $2,807 | $1,766 |
| Other | $3,970 | $2,377 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $39 | $107 |
| Highways & Roads | $0 | $148 |
| Public Welfare | $345 | $740 |
| Hospitals | $406 | $160 |
| Parks & Recreation | $611 | $1,041 |
| Housing | $2,769 | $3,154 |
| Sewerage | $0 | $153 |
| Utilities | $1,599 | $1,593 |
| Other | $2,407 | $945 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.