Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Independence, MO
VS
Providence, RI
🏆 Independence leads 14 of 23 categories
Independence
Missouri
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$57,415
Violent Crime Index
150⚠ High
Population
122,218
Providence
Rhode Island
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$61,365 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
73 ✓ Safer
Population
189,715 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Independence, MO
Pros
Homes cost $142k less ($150,800 vs $293,000)
Rent averages $194/mo less ($1,020 vs $1,214)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (6.2%)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.3)
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Providence
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 Providence by $3,950/yr
Providence, RI
Pros
52% less violent crime than Independence
More college-educated — 34.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Households earn $3,950 more per year on average
Cons
Higher unemployment (7.2% vs 6.2%)
Cost of living runs 8% higher than Independence
Key Differences at a Glance
Independence
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 93.3 vs 100.9 (100 = US avg)
Independence
Median Home Value
$142k less
$150,800 vs $293,000
Independence
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
6.2% vs 7.2% unemployment
Independence
Summer Heat
3.3°F warmer
July avg high 86.9°F vs 83.6°F
Providence
Median Income
$3,950
$61,365 vs $57,415/yr
Providence
Violent Crime
52% lower
276.7 vs 571.2 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Independence, MO | Providence, RI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 93.3 ✓ Cheaper | 100.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $150,800 ✓ Lower | $293,000 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,020 ✓ Lower | $1,214 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $57,415 | $61,365 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.9 min ✓ Shorter | 24.2 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.2% | 11.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 157⚠ High | 75 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 150⚠ High | 73 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 168⚠ High | 79 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B- (95) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.7:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.5% | 34.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 90.0% ✓ Higher | 82.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | INDEPENDENCE 30 | Providence |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 37.6°F | 38.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.9°F ✓ Warmer | 83.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 44.7" ✓ Drier | 47.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 13.2" ✓ Less | 36.6" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,218 | 189,715 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 39.5 ✓ Older | 32.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% ✓ Higher | 39.9% |
| Under 18 | 22.6% ✓ More | 20.7% |
| Over 65 | 18.4% ✓ More | 11.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Independence's cost of living index is 93.3 vs Providence's 100.9 (US average = 100).
Independence is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Independence leads 14 of 23 categories. Independence wins 14 and Providence 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 Providence or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($150,800 vs $293,000 median home), income ($57,415 vs $61,365), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Independence, MO and Providence, RI are about 1,217 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.