Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Independence, MO
VS
Salem, OR
🏆 Salem leads 12 of 23 categories
Independence
Missouri
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$57,415
Violent Crime Index
150⚠ High
Population
122,218
Salem
Oregon
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.4⚠ High
Median Household Income
$67,540 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
175,754 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Independence, MO
Pros
Homes cost $199k less ($150,800 vs $349,500)
Rent averages $204/mo less ($1,020 vs $1,224)
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Salem
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.3)
Smaller class sizes — 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (571.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Salem by $10,125/yr
Property crime (3523.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Salem, OR
Pros
7% less violent crime than Independence
Households earn $10,125 more per year on average
More college-educated — 31.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 38°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $349,500
Violent crime (532.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2803.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 9% higher than Independence
Key Differences at a Glance
Independence
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 93.3 vs 102.4 (100 = US avg)
Independence
Median Home Value
$199k less
$150,800 vs $349,500
Independence
Summer Heat
3.4°F warmer
July avg high 86.9°F vs 83.5°F
Salem
Median Income
$10,125
$67,540 vs $57,415/yr
Salem
Violent Crime
7% lower
532.2 vs 571.2 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Independence, MO | Salem, OR |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 93.3 ✓ Cheaper | 102.4⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $150,800 ✓ Lower | $349,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,020 ✓ Lower | $1,224 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $57,415 | $67,540 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2%⚠ High | 6.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.9 min | 22.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 8.2% | 12.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 157⚠ High | 137⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 150⚠ High | 140⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 168⚠ High | 133⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | C+ (89) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.7:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.5% | 31.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 90.0% ✓ Higher | 88.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | INDEPENDENCE 30 | Salem-Keizer SD 24J |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 37.6°F | 48.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.9°F ✓ Warmer | 83.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 44.7" ✓ Drier | 46.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 13.2" | 1.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,218 | 175,754 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 39.5 ✓ Older | 35.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% ✓ Higher | 54.9% |
| Under 18 | 22.6% | 23.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 18.4% ✓ More | 15.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Independence's cost of living index is 93.3 vs Salem's 102.4 (US average = 100).
Independence is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Salem leads 12 of 23 categories. Independence wins 11 and Salem wins 12. 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 Salem or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($150,800 vs $349,500 median home), income ($57,415 vs $67,540), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Independence, MO and Salem, OR are about 1,517 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.