Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Independence, MO
VS
San Bernardino, CA
🏆 Independence leads 15 of 23 categories
Independence
Missouri
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$57,415
Violent Crime Index
150⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
122,218
San Bernardino
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$61,323 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
236⚠ High
Population
221,041 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Independence, MO
Pros
Homes cost $196k less ($150,800 vs $347,100)
36% less violent crime than San Bernardino
Rent averages $299/mo less ($1,020 vs $1,319)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.4 pts lower (6.2%)
15% cheaper overall cost of living than San Bernardino
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
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 San Bernardino by $3,908/yr
San Bernardino, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 38°F
Households earn $3,908 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $347,100
Violent crime (897.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 15% higher than Independence
Property crime (2897.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Independence
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 93.3 vs 107.9 (100 = US avg)
Independence
Violent Crime
36% lower
571.2 vs 897.1 per 100k
Independence
Median Home Value
$196k less
$150,800 vs $347,100
Independence
Unemployment
1.4 pp lower
6.2% vs 7.6% unemployment
San Bernardino
Median Income
$3,908
$61,323 vs $57,415/yr
San Bernardino
Summer Heat
8.5°F warmer
July avg high 95.4°F vs 86.9°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Independence, MO | San Bernardino, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 93.3 ✓ Cheaper | 107.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $150,800 ✓ Lower | $347,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,020 ✓ Lower | $1,319 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $57,415 | $61,323 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.9 min ✓ Shorter | 28.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.2% ✓ Higher | 5.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 157⚠ High ✓ Safer | 197⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 150⚠ High ✓ Safer | 236⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 168⚠ High | 138⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | C (81) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.7:1 ✓ Smaller | 20.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.5% ✓ Higher | 12.8% |
| High School or Higher | 90.0% ✓ Higher | 72.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | INDEPENDENCE 30 | San Bernardino City Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 37.6°F | 66.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.9°F | 95.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 44.7" | 21.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 13.2" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,218 | 221,041 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 39.5 ✓ Older | 31.2 |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% ✓ Higher | 48.9% |
| Under 18 | 22.6% | 27.9% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 18.4% ✓ More | 9.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Independence's cost of living index is 93.3 vs San Bernardino's 107.9 (US average = 100).
Independence is 15% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Independence leads 15 of 23 categories. Independence wins 15 and San Bernardino wins 8. 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 San Bernardino or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($150,800 vs $347,100 median home), income ($57,415 vs $61,323), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Independence, MO and San Bernardino, CA are about 1,314 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.