Independence, MO vs Columbia, MO
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Columbia, MO outspends Independence, MO by a wide margin per resident — $13,757 versus $8,176, a 68% difference. A gap this size usually reflects a structurally different service mix or accounting scope rather than a single line item.
Independence, MO holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 80/100 (grade A) against 71/100 (grade B) for Columbia, MO — a 9-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
Independence, MO reports no outstanding debt per resident in its Census filing, while Columbia, MO carries $175 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 Columbia, MO at $1,099.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 100% of total revenue in Independence, MO and 100% in Columbia, MO.
Summary
Columbia spends 40.6% more per capita than Independence ($5,582/person difference). Independence, MO has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 80/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $1 | $0 |
| Sales Tax | $480 | $668 |
| Income Tax | $0 | $2,110 |
| Intergovernmental | $38,346 | $23,577 |
| Charges & Fees | $2,807 | $2,293 |
| Other | $3,970 | $2,632 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $39 | $355 |
| Public Welfare | $345 | $901 |
| Hospitals | $406 | $77 |
| Parks & Recreation | $611 | $1,099 |
| Housing | $2,769 | $1,692 |
| Utilities | $1,599 | $3,124 |
| Interest on Debt | $0 | $419 |
| Other | $2,407 | $6,091 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.