Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Independence, MO
VS
Kenosha, WI
🏆 Independence leads 13 of 22 categories
Independence
Missouri
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$57,415
Violent Crime Index
150⚠ High
Population
122,218 ✓ Larger
Kenosha
Wisconsin
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$64,963 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
75 ✓ Safer
Population
99,493
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Independence, MO
Pros
Homes cost $44k less ($150,800 vs $194,400)
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Kenosha
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
Median income trails Kenosha by $7,548/yr
Higher unemployment (6.2% vs 5.4%)
Kenosha, WI
Pros
50% less violent crime than Independence
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.8 pts lower (5.4%)
Households earn $7,548 more per year on average
More college-educated — 27.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Cost of living runs 9% higher than Independence
Key Differences at a Glance
Independence
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 93.3 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Independence
Median Home Value
$44k less
$150,800 vs $194,400
Independence
Summer Heat
3.1°F warmer
July avg high 86.9°F vs 83.8°F
Kenosha
Median Income
$7,548
$64,963 vs $57,415/yr
Kenosha
Violent Crime
50% lower
285.7 vs 571.2 per 100k
Kenosha
Unemployment
0.8 pp lower
5.4% vs 6.2% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kenosha, WI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 93.3 ✓ Cheaper | 102.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $150,800 ✓ Lower | $194,400 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,020 ✓ Lower | $1,079 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $57,415 | $64,963 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2%⚠ High | 5.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.9 min ✓ Shorter | 24.1 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.2% ✓ Higher | 6.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 157⚠ High | 62 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 150⚠ High | 75 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 168⚠ High | 41 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B (99) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.7:1 | 14.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.5% | 27.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 90.0% ✓ Higher | 89.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | INDEPENDENCE 30 | Kenosha School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 37.6°F ✓ Warmer | 31.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 86.9°F ✓ Warmer | 83.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 44.7" | 36.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 13.2" ✓ Less | 36.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,218 ✓ Larger | 99,493 |
| Median Age | 39.5 ✓ Older | 36.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% ✓ Higher | 58.7% |
| Under 18 | 22.6% | 23.7% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 18.4% ✓ More | 13.5% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Independence's cost of living index is 93.3 vs Kenosha's 102.6 (US average = 100).
Independence is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Independence leads 13 of 22 categories. Independence wins 13 and Kenosha wins 9. 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 Kenosha or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($150,800 vs $194,400 median home), income ($57,415 vs $64,963), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Independence, MO and Kenosha, WI are about 416 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.