Join free

Compare Cities

Measure IndependenceMissouri, United States Remove Independence MemphisTennessee, United States Remove Memphis
Scores (out of 10)
Overall score 5.2 6.8
Connector Score 8.2 8.3
Safety 1.0 1.1
Affordability 7.6 8.3
Transportation 7.0 10.0
Car-free friendliness 4.5 8.5
Walkability 4.2 8.3
Things to do 5.2 7.1
Food & dining 4.5 7.4
Places to stay 6.0 7.0
Nature & outdoors 3.5 3.5
Scenic value 4.5 5.3
Family friendliness 3.7 3.7
Solo-traveler friendliness 3.3 4.8
Nightlife 4.2 5.2
Remote-work friendliness 6.0 6.9
Road-trip convenience 6.5 6.2
Train-trip convenience 6.1 6.3
Bus-trip convenience 1.5 7.5
Cost (per person per day, USD)
Budget $90 $113
Mid-range $134 $170
Luxury $230 $307
Living there
Cost of living index (national = 100) 89 82
Typical 1-bedroom rent $975 $1,125
Population 122K 610K
Getting there
Accessible by Drive Train Airport Drive Train Bus Airport
Car recommended — —
Travel time from Independence — 8 h 36 min details
Character
Best for History Car-free travel, Food lovers, History
Known for Lakes & rivers, Museums & galleries, Historic sites, Live music, Shopping Lakes & rivers, Museums & galleries, Historic sites, Food scene, Live music
When to go Peak: Spring to fall and Santa-Cali-Gon Days —

Scores and costs are estimates from public data and our own research; check the city pages for sources and dates.

The newsletter

Postcards from the road, every other week

New city guides, events worth planning a trip around, and the places worth the detour. Pick your topics, or leave them all unticked for everything.