Ideal City
Loading map
Ideal CityFind a place
Find a place

Independence, Missouri

Among the top 7% of US places for getting around.

AffordabilityAffordability: grade C, better than 25% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade B, better than 57% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade C, better than 34% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade A, better than 93% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade C, better than 46% of US places
  • top 10% for walkability
  • top 15% for airport distance
  • bottom 5% for property crime

Independence is a city in Missouri with about 122,000 residents. It grades A for getting around and C for affordability. Standout strengths include walkability, airport distance, and park & nature access. It rates lower on amenities nearby and property crime.

Official websiteindependencemo.gov (opens in new tab)

Climate

Hot, humid summers · Cold winters · Moderate rain · Light snow

very cold
cool
comf.
warm
hot
warm
comf.
cold
v.cold
79%59%clearovercast
Precipitation 5.1 in1.7 in
muggy 100%dry

Livability factors

Affordability

Median Household Income$57k41st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$48kbetter than 40% of US places
Home Value$151k45th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$1kbetter than 39% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$1kbetter than 54% of US places
Property Tax Rate1.14%better than 42% of US places
Income Tax4.80%better than 55% of US places
Sales Tax8.39%better than 29% of US places
Estimated total tax burden10.57%better than 40% of US places
Unemployment6.2%better than 30% of US places

Weather

Winter Temp (Jan)30°F44th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)80°F72nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation44.7 in59th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall13.2 inbetter than 56% of US places
Sunny Days260 daysbetter than 78% of US places
Summer Humidity67°Fbetter than 31% of US places
Comfortable Days76 daysbetter than 34% of US places

Safety & Wellbeing

Natural Disaster Risk46.3better than 75% of US places
Air Quality42 AQIbetter than 68% of US places
School Quality55.1better than 45% of US places
Violent Crime1297/100kbetter than 23% of US places
Property Crime3383/100kbetter than 5% of US places

Community

Population122,21899th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age39.543rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.4174th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9542nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningD+2213th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)72.9%33rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)10.9%85th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)9.6%72nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)1.1%71st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)5.6%75th percentile — neutral, not ranked

Getting Around

Commute Time24 minbetter than 63% of US places
Walkability11.2/20better than 90% of US places
Airport Distance25 mibetter than 85% of US places

Lifestyle & Connectivity

Broadband Access86.4%better than 50% of US places
Amenities Nearby11.70better than 16% of US places
Park & Nature AccessExcellentbetter than 81% of US places

Similar places

Frequently asked questions

Is Independence an affordable place to live?
Independence is about average in cost. Its cost-of-living index is $48k, better than 40% of comparable areas.
What is the median home value in Independence?
The median home value in Independence is $151k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
What is the median household income in Independence?
Median household income in Independence is $57k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
How much is rent in Independence?
Median gross rent in Independence is $1k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
Is Independence safe?
Independence is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1297/100k (better than 23%). Property crime is 3383/100k.
What is the weather like in Independence?
Independence averages 80°F in July and 30°F in January, with 44.7 in of annual precipitation and about 260 sunny days a year.
How are the schools in Independence?
Public-school quality in Independence is about average, scoring better than 45% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
How long is the commute in Independence?
The average one-way commute in Independence is 24 min.

Other places in Jackson County

Places near Independence

Compare Independence

Explore Missouri

Data sources

  • EPA Air Quality (AQI)
  • EPA Smart Location Database
  • EPI Family Budget Calculator
  • FAA airport enplanements
  • FBI Uniform Crime Reports
  • FEMA National Risk Index
  • MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
  • NCES School Finance Survey
  • NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
  • NOAA nClimGrid
  • OpenStreetMap
  • Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
  • U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
  • USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)