Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Allen, TX
VS
Independence, MO
🏆 Allen leads 15 of 23 categories
Allen
Texas
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$121,259 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
28 ✓ Safer
Population
105,444
Independence
Missouri
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$57,415
Violent Crime Index
150⚠ High
Population
122,218 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Allen, TX
Pros
Households earn $63,844 more per year on average
81% less violent crime than Independence
More college-educated — 55.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Violent crime is well below the national average (106.4 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.9 pts lower (4.3%)
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 38°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $390,200
Higher rents — median is $1,747/mo
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Independence
Independence, MO
Pros
Homes cost $239k less ($150,800 vs $390,200)
Rent averages $727/mo less ($1,020 vs $1,747)
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Allen
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.3)
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 95°F
Cons
Median income trails Allen by $63,844/yr
Violent crime (571.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3523.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.2% vs 4.3%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Allen
Median Income
$63,844
$121,259 vs $57,415/yr
Allen
Violent Crime
81% lower
106.4 vs 571.2 per 100k
Allen
Unemployment
1.9 pp lower
4.3% vs 6.2% unemployment
Allen
Summer Heat
8.1°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 86.9°F
Independence
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 93.3 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Independence
Median Home Value
$239k less
$150,800 vs $390,200
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Allen, TX | Independence, MO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 93.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $390,200⚠ High | $150,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,747⚠ High | $1,020 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $121,259 ✓ Higher | $57,415 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.0 min | 23.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 21.4% ✓ Higher | 8.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 34 ✓ Safer | 157⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 28 ✓ Safer | 150⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 42 ✓ Safer | 168⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (125) ✓ Better | B- (94) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.2:1 | 14.7:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 55.2% ✓ Higher | 19.5% |
| High School or Higher | 95.8% ✓ Higher | 90.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ALLEN ISD | INDEPENDENCE 30 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.5°F ✓ Warmer | 37.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer | 86.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 40.8" ✓ Drier | 44.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.6" ✓ Less | 13.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 105,444 | 122,218 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 39.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 70.9% ✓ Higher | 60.5% |
| Under 18 | 25.9% ✓ More | 22.6% |
| Over 65 | 10.4% | 18.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Allen's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Independence's 93.3 (US average = 100).
Independence is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Allen leads 15 of 23 categories. Allen wins 15 and Independence wins 8. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Allen to Independence or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($390,200 vs $150,800 median home), income ($121,259 vs $57,415), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Allen, TX and Independence, MO are about 433 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.