Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Independence, MO
VS
Yuma, AZ
🏆 Yuma 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 ✓ Larger
Yuma
Arizona
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.4
Median Household Income
$59,312 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
111⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
96,314
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Independence, MO
Pros
Homes cost $36k less ($150,800 vs $186,500)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (6.2%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 107°F
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
Property crime (3523.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Yuma, AZ
Pros
26% less violent crime than Independence
Milder winters — January highs near 70°F vs 38°F
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.4)
Cons
Higher unemployment (7.7% vs 6.2%)
Hot summers — July highs average 107°F
Key Differences at a Glance
Independence
Median Home Value
$36k less
$150,800 vs $186,500
Independence
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
6.2% vs 7.7% unemployment
Both cities
Cost of Living
≈ Equal
Both near 93.3 on the COL index
Yuma
Median Income
$1,897
$59,312 vs $57,415/yr
Yuma
Violent Crime
26% lower
423.6 vs 571.2 per 100k
Yuma
Summer Heat
19.8°F warmer
July avg high 106.7°F vs 86.9°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Independence, MO | Yuma, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 93.3 ✓ Cheaper | 93.4 |
| Median Home Value | $150,800 ✓ Lower | $186,500 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,020 ✓ Lower | $1,028 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $57,415 | $59,312 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.9 min | 17.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 8.2% ✓ Higher | 6.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 157⚠ High | 91 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 150⚠ High | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 168⚠ High | 59 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | C- (70) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.7:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.5% | 20.3% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 90.0% ✓ Higher | 83.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | INDEPENDENCE 30 | Yuma Elementary District (4499) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 37.6°F | 69.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.9°F | 106.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 44.7" | 3.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 13.2" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,218 ✓ Larger | 96,314 |
| Median Age | 39.5 ✓ Older | 32.0 |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 64.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.6% | 25.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 18.4% ✓ More | 16.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Independence's cost of living index is 93.3 vs Yuma's 93.4 (US average = 100).
Independence is 0% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Yuma leads 12 of 23 categories. Independence wins 11 and Yuma 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 Yuma or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($150,800 vs $186,500 median home), income ($57,415 vs $59,312), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Independence, MO and Yuma, AZ are about 1,215 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.