Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Davenport, IA
VS
Independence, MO
🏆 Independence leads 12 of 23 categories
Davenport
Iowa
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,890 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
153⚠ High
Population
101,448
Independence
Missouri
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.3
Median Household Income
$57,415
Violent Crime Index
150⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
122,218 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Davenport, IA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (5.0%)
Rent averages $130/mo less ($890 vs $1,020)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 28.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.3)
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Independence
Cons
Violent crime (581.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3540.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Independence, MO
Pros
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.3)
Milder winters — January highs near 38°F vs 31°F
Cons
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 5.0%)
Cost of living runs 4% higher than Davenport
Key Differences at a Glance
Davenport
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 89.3 vs 93.3 (100 = US avg)
Davenport
Median Income
$2,475
$59,890 vs $57,415/yr
Davenport
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
5.0% vs 6.2% unemployment
Independence
Violent Crime
2% lower
571.2 vs 581.4 per 100k
Independence
Summer Heat
3.0°F warmer
July avg high 86.9°F vs 83.9°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Independence, MO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.3 ✓ Cheaper | 93.3 |
| Median Home Value | $155,100 | $150,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $890 ✓ Lower | $1,020 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,890 ✓ Higher | $57,415 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.5 min ✓ Shorter | 23.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.7% | 8.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 159⚠ High | 157⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 153⚠ High | 150⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 169⚠ High | 168⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (101) ✓ Better | B- (94) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.5% ✓ Higher | 19.5% |
| High School or Higher | 92.0% ✓ Higher | 90.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Davenport Comm School District | INDEPENDENCE 30 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.0°F | 37.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.9°F | 86.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 38.8" ✓ Drier | 44.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.1" | 13.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 101,448 | 122,218 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 39.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% ✓ Higher | 60.5% |
| Under 18 | 21.4% | 22.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 16.2% | 18.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Davenport's cost of living index is 89.3 vs Independence's 93.3 (US average = 100).
Davenport is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Independence leads 12 of 23 categories. Davenport wins 11 and Independence wins 12. 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 Davenport to Independence or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($155,100 vs $150,800 median home), income ($59,890 vs $57,415), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Davenport, IA and Independence, MO are about 261 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.