Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Deltona, FL
VS
Independence, MO
🏆 Independence leads 11 of 20 categories
Deltona
Florida
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.4⚠ High
Median Household Income
$69,074 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
—
Population
94,373
Independence
Missouri
11
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.
Deltona, FL
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.2 pts lower (4.0%)
Households earn $11,659 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 70°F vs 38°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,417/mo
Cost of living runs 9% higher than Independence
Longer commutes — 34.4 min average each way
Independence, MO
Pros
Homes cost $76k less ($150,800 vs $226,800)
Rent averages $397/mo less ($1,020 vs $1,417)
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Deltona
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.3)
Smaller class sizes — 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (571.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Deltona by $11,659/yr
Property crime (3523.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.2% vs 4.0%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Deltona
Median Income
$11,659
$69,074 vs $57,415/yr
Deltona
Unemployment
2.2 pp lower
4.0% vs 6.2% unemployment
Deltona
Summer Heat
4.9°F warmer
July avg high 91.8°F vs 86.9°F
Independence
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 93.3 vs 102.4 (100 = US avg)
Independence
Median Home Value
$76k less
$150,800 vs $226,800
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Deltona, FL | Independence, MO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.4⚠ High | 93.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $226,800 | $150,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,417⚠ High | $1,020 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $69,074 ✓ Higher | $57,415 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 34.4 min⚠ High | 23.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.9% ✓ Higher | 8.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | — | 157⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | — | 150⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | — | 168⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (85) | B- (94) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 18.1:1 | 14.7:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 18.6% | 19.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 90.5% ✓ Higher | 90.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | VOLUSIA | INDEPENDENCE 30 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 70.1°F ✓ Warmer | 37.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.8°F ✓ Warmer | 86.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 51.8" | 44.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 13.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 94,373 | 122,218 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 39.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 80.3% ✓ Higher | 60.5% |
| Under 18 | 22.9% ✓ More | 22.6% |
| Over 65 | 16.5% | 18.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Deltona's cost of living index is 102.4 vs Independence's 93.3 (US average = 100).
Independence is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 20 decided categories above, Independence leads 11 of 20 categories. Deltona wins 9 and Independence wins 11. 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 Deltona to Independence or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($226,800 vs $150,800 median home), income ($69,074 vs $57,415), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Deltona, FL and Independence, MO are about 1,028 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.