Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Independence, MO
VS
Longmont, CO
🏆 Longmont leads 14 of 23 categories
Independence
Missouri
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$57,415
Violent Crime Index
150⚠ High
Population
122,218 ✓ Larger
Longmont
Colorado
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.4⚠ High
Median Household Income
$89,720 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
98,282
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Independence, MO
Pros
Homes cost $337k less ($150,800 vs $488,100)
Rent averages $669/mo less ($1,020 vs $1,689)
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Longmont
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.3)
Smaller class sizes — 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Longmont by $32,305/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%)
Longmont, CO
Pros
Households earn $32,305 more per year on average
18% less violent crime than Independence
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (4.1%)
More college-educated — 46.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 45°F vs 38°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $488,100
Higher rents — median is $1,689/mo
Violent crime (469.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2618.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Independence
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 93.3 vs 103.4 (100 = US avg)
Independence
Median Home Value
$337k less
$150,800 vs $488,100
Longmont
Median Income
$32,305
$89,720 vs $57,415/yr
Longmont
Violent Crime
18% lower
469.3 vs 571.2 per 100k
Longmont
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
4.1% vs 6.2% unemployment
Longmont
Summer Heat
3.9°F warmer
July avg high 90.8°F vs 86.9°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Independence, MO | Longmont, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 93.3 ✓ Cheaper | 103.4⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $150,800 ✓ Lower | $488,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,020 ✓ Lower | $1,689⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $57,415 | $89,720 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2%⚠ High | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.9 min ✓ Shorter | 25.4 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.2% | 17.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 157⚠ High | 124⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 150⚠ High | 124⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 168⚠ High | 125⚠ 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 | 16.2:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.5% | 46.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 90.0% | 92.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | INDEPENDENCE 30 | St. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 37.6°F | 44.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.9°F | 90.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 44.7" | 16.1" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 13.2" ✓ Less | 47.4" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,218 ✓ Larger | 98,282 |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 39.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 63.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.6% ✓ More | 20.4% |
| Over 65 | 18.4% ✓ More | 17.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Independence's cost of living index is 93.3 vs Longmont's 103.4 (US average = 100).
Independence is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Longmont leads 14 of 23 categories. Independence wins 9 and Longmont wins 14. 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 Longmont or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($150,800 vs $488,100 median home), income ($57,415 vs $89,720), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Independence, MO and Longmont, CO are about 577 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.