Independence, MO vs Ruston, LA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Independence
73.6
#702 nationally
Ruston
72.3
#911 nationally
Independence leads in median household income ($57,415 vs $32,877). Ruston leads in average commute (13.9 min vs 23.9 min). Ruston leads in crime level (11.7 vs 15.6).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Independence, MO | Ruston, LA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.6 (#702) | 72.3 (#911) |
| Population | 120,922 | 22,233 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $214,173 | $229,937 |
| Median Household Income | $57,415 | $32,877 |
| Average Commute | 23.9 min | 13.9 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 25 |
| Crime Level | 15.6 | 11.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 95 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+19.3 | R+25.4 |
C
73.6 Score
Independence, MO
Mid-size Missouri city with community character
Median Home
$214,173
Population
120,922
Crime
High
Walk Score
28
Midwest
View Independence, MO →
C-
72.3 Score
Ruston, LA
Small Louisiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$229,937
Population
22,233
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
25
Southeast
View Ruston, LA →
Try a different matchup
Swap Independence for: