Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Independence, MO
VS
Irving, TX
🏆 Irving leads 15 of 23 categories
Independence
Missouri
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$57,415
Violent Crime Index
150⚠ High
Population
122,218
Irving
Texas
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$76,686 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
72 ✓ Safer
Population
254,962 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Independence, MO
Pros
Homes cost $109k less ($150,800 vs $259,500)
Rent averages $403/mo less ($1,020 vs $1,423)
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Irving
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.3)
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 96°F
Cons
Median income trails Irving by $19,271/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 4.1%)
Irving, TX
Pros
52% less violent crime than Independence
Households earn $19,271 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (4.1%)
More college-educated — 40.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 38°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,423/mo
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Independence
Key Differences at a Glance
Independence
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 93.3 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Independence
Median Home Value
$109k less
$150,800 vs $259,500
Irving
Median Income
$19,271
$76,686 vs $57,415/yr
Irving
Violent Crime
52% lower
275.4 vs 571.2 per 100k
Irving
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
4.1% vs 6.2% unemployment
Irving
Summer Heat
8.7°F warmer
July avg high 95.6°F vs 86.9°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Independence, MO | Irving, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 93.3 ✓ Cheaper | 103.3⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $150,800 ✓ Lower | $259,500 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,020 ✓ Lower | $1,423⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $57,415 | $76,686 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2%⚠ High | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.9 min | 23.8 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 8.2% | 14.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 157⚠ High | 85 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 150⚠ High | 72 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 168⚠ High | 105⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B+ (109) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.7:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.5% | 40.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 90.0% ✓ Higher | 79.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | INDEPENDENCE 30 | IRVING ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 37.6°F | 56.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.9°F | 95.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 44.7" | 37.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 13.2" | 1.6" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,218 | 254,962 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 39.5 ✓ Older | 32.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% ✓ Higher | 37.2% |
| Under 18 | 22.6% | 26.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 18.4% ✓ More | 8.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Independence's cost of living index is 93.3 vs Irving's 103.3 (US average = 100).
Independence is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Irving leads 15 of 23 categories. Independence wins 8 and Irving wins 15. 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 Independence to Irving or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($150,800 vs $259,500 median home), income ($57,415 vs $76,686), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Independence, MO and Irving, TX are about 454 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.