Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Independence, MO
VS
Modesto, CA
🏆 Independence leads 13 of 23 categories
Independence
Missouri
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$57,415
Violent Crime Index
150⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
122,218
Modesto
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,375 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High
Population
218,308 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Independence, MO
Pros
Homes cost $231k less ($150,800 vs $381,800)
Rent averages $477/mo less ($1,020 vs $1,497)
13% less violent crime than Modesto
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (6.2%)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Modesto
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Cons
Violent crime (571.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Modesto by $15,960/yr
Property crime (3523.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Modesto, CA
Pros
Households earn $15,960 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 38°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $381,800
Higher rents — median is $1,497/mo
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Independence
Key Differences at a Glance
Independence
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 93.3 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
Independence
Violent Crime
13% lower
571.2 vs 655.7 per 100k
Independence
Median Home Value
$231k less
$150,800 vs $381,800
Independence
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
6.2% vs 7.8% unemployment
Modesto
Median Income
$15,960
$73,375 vs $57,415/yr
Modesto
Summer Heat
8.1°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 86.9°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Independence, MO | Modesto, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 93.3 ✓ Cheaper | 105.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $150,800 ✓ Lower | $381,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,020 ✓ Lower | $1,497⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $57,415 | $73,375 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.9 min ✓ Shorter | 29.4 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.2% ✓ Higher | 6.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 157⚠ High | 150⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 150⚠ High ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 168⚠ High | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | C- (65) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.7:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.5% | 19.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 90.0% ✓ Higher | 83.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | INDEPENDENCE 30 | Modesto City Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 37.6°F | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.9°F | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 44.7" | 12.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 13.2" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,218 | 218,308 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 39.5 ✓ Older | 34.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% ✓ Higher | 57.7% |
| Under 18 | 22.6% | 26.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 18.4% ✓ More | 13.9% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Independence's cost of living index is 93.3 vs Modesto's 105.0 (US average = 100).
Independence is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Independence leads 13 of 23 categories. Independence wins 13 and Modesto wins 10. 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 Modesto or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($150,800 vs $381,800 median home), income ($57,415 vs $73,375), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Independence, MO and Modesto, CA are about 1,442 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.