Moving from St. Louis, MO to Independence, MO
Moving from St. Louis, MO to Independence, MO covers 235 mi and about 4h 35m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
235 mi Β· 4h 35m by car Β· MO
Distance & route
| Route through | MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 40, I 70, I 64 |
| Major cities en route | Columbia, Lee S Summit, Overland Park, Olathe, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Louis | Independence | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Independence and St. Louis is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Louis β, Independence +2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Louis | Independence |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 54Β°F |
| January avg low | 25Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 13.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | 44.7" |
Annual average temperatures in St. Louis (58.0Β°F) and Independence (54.0Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Independence averages 13.2 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, INDEPENDENCE, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Independence |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 121,944 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $59,480 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 13.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 2.39 |
Median household income in Independence is 2.7% above St. Louis ($55,279 β $59,480, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Independence MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 133,580 | $43,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 105,080 | $42,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 95,130 | $29,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 94,940 | $36,640 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 77,380 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Independence averages 13.2 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Tornadoes are common April through June β identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How far is Independence, MO from St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 235 mi and the route typically takes 4h 35m via US 40 and I 70. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Independence more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Independence is 2.7% lower than St. Louis (92.543 vs 95.088, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in St. Louis vs Independence?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,480 in Independence vs $55,279 in St. Louis β a 7.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from St. Louis to Independence?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 235 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Independence compare to St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Independence MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 1,325,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO Β· Independence, MO.