Independence, MO vs Kinston, NC
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
Kinston
73.2
#774 nationally
Independence leads in crime level (15.6 vs 26.3). Independence leads in median household income ($57,415 vs $35,653). Kinston leads in average commute (19.1 min vs 23.9 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Independence, MO | Kinston, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.6 (#702) | 73.2 (#774) |
| Population | 120,922 | 19,411 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $214,173 | $147,755 |
| Median Household Income | $57,415 | $35,653 |
| Average Commute | 23.9 min | 19.1 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | 31 |
| Crime Level | 15.6 | 26.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 87 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+19.3 | R+6.8 |
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
73.2 Score
Kinston, NC
Small North Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$147,755
Population
19,411
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
31
Southeast
View Kinston, NC →
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