Living in Independence, MI
Suburb in Michigan
Independence is a suburb in Michigan, home to about 37,000 people, with 2.4 million living within 31 mi. Day to day, a car is essential. Life moves at a relaxed pace, and homes are mostly houses.
Is Independence a good place to live? Pros and cons
👍 Pros
- Safe: violent crime is 0.2× the US rate (FBI 2019)
- Mild summers: highs around 78°F
- Strong healthcare: 3 top-rated (4–5★) hospitals within 31 mi
- Dog-friendly: 3 dog parks within 9 mi
👎 Cons
- Cloudier than most places
- Quieter on culture: few museums and attractions nearby
Whether it's a good place for you depends on what you value. Take the quiz to see how Independence ranks against your own priorities.
Key facts
Living in Independence: common questions
What is the cost of living in Independence?
A typical 3-bedroom home is worth about $410k, and a 3-bedroom rents for about $1,720 a month including utilities. Overall living costs are close to the US average (index 100, where the US is 100).
What are taxes like in Independence?
Michigan collects about $1,246 in state income tax per resident, and homeowners here pay about 1.17% of their home's value in property tax each year.
Is Independence safe?
Violent crime is well below the national rate (0.2× in FBI 2019 data).
How are the schools in Independence?
Public schools in Independence test above the US average in math and reading (2018–19 state tests, put on one national scale with NAEP), with about 18 students per teacher.
What is the weather like in Independence?
Independence has long, snowy winters: winter days average around 31°F and summer days around 78°F, with roughly 62″ of snow a year.
Does Independence get natural disasters?
Natural disaster risk is low, mainly from flooding, tornadoes and cold waves: 5 federally declared disasters have hit the county since 2000, and FEMA expects about 0.73 deaths or injuries per 100,000 residents a year.
What is the nearest major airport to Independence?
The nearest major airport is DTW, about 37 mi away.
How Independence scores
Each bar compares Independence with the other 1,990 places in Best Life Fit Me. A dot shows where it sits between two ends, such as major metro and small town; neither end is better. Coloured bars run from poor (red) to excellent (green).
Places like Independence
These places have the most similar overall profile across all 24 aspects.
The circle is each place's all-round score out of 100: the average of its 15 quality scores, from red (poor) to green (excellent).
Nearby
See all the best places to live in Michigan.
Is Independence right for you?
Answer 27 quick questions and see how it ranks against your priorities.