Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Independence, KY

    Is Independence a good place to live?

    Watch Independence

    Independence ranks #1 of 16 Kentucky cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (88/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 1.1% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $240,500
    +6.7% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,204
    per month
    Household income
    $98,653
    median
    Unemployment
    2.8%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Independence

    The median home value in Independence is $240,500 and median rent is $1,204 a month, against a median household income of $98,653. Homes cost about 2.4× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Independence crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Kentucky the 2025 rate was 214 violent and 1,282 property crimes per 100,000 people — #38 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Independence, KY

    Independence has about 29,024 residents, 2.8% unemployment and 26% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Independence with

    Independence vs LouisvilleIndependence vs LexingtonIndependence vs Bowling GreenIndependence vs OwensboroIndependence vs CovingtonIndependence vs GeorgetownIndependence vs RichmondIndependence vs Florence

    More: Where to move in Kentucky · Best counties in Kentucky

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report