Independence, Missouri
Among the top 7% of US places for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade D, better than 13% 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 1% for monthly owner costs
Independence is a city in Missouri with about 122,000 residents. It grades A for getting around and D for affordability. Standout strengths include walkability, airport distance, and park & nature access. It rates lower on property crime and monthly owner costs.
- The median home value in Independence is $151k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median household income in Independence is $57k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median gross rent in Independence is $1k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Independence has a violent crime rate of 1297/100k, per the FBI Uniform Crime Reports.
- The average one-way commute in Independence is 24 min, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
Climate
Hot, humid summers · Cold winters · Moderate rain · Light snow
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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$31kbetter than 1% 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
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)
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. Median rent is $1k.
- 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.