Living in Independence, MO
Suburb in Missouri
Independence is a suburb in Missouri, home to about 122,000 people, with 1.8 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
- Strong healthcare: 10 top-rated (4–5★) hospitals within 31 mi
- Affordable housing: a typical 3-bedroom home is about $219k and rents for $1,770 a month
- Mild summers: highs around 85°F
- Low natural disaster risk: 7 federally declared disasters since 2000
👎 Cons
- Fewer outdoor escapes: no big hills or water close by
- Fewer graduates: 21% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher
- Smaller job market: about 1.8 million people live within 31 mi
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 $219k, and a 3-bedroom rents for about $1,770 a month including utilities. Overall living costs are below the US average (index 93, where the US is 100).
What are taxes like in Independence?
Missouri collects about $1,262 in state income tax per resident, and homeowners here pay about 1.12% of their home's value in property tax each year.
Is Independence safe?
Violent crime is somewhat above the national rate (1.6× in FBI 2019 data).
What is the weather like in Independence?
Independence has cold winters: winter days average around 41°F and summer days around 85°F, with roughly 13″ of snow a year.
Does Independence get natural disasters?
Natural disaster risk is moderate, mainly from flooding, tornadoes and heat waves: 7 federally declared disasters have hit the county since 2000, and FEMA expects about 1 deaths or injuries per 100,000 residents a year.
What is the nearest major airport to Independence?
The nearest major airport is MCI, about 24 mi away.
How Independence scores
Each bar compares Independence with the other 1143 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).
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Nearby
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Is Independence right for you?
Answer 27 quick questions and see how it ranks against your priorities.