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City Report · KS

Independence

Pop. 8,422·26th most expensive in Kansas·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$700/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-6.7%
vs US Median
-$1,265
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Independence · $700
More affordable than 100% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
16% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $700/mo, rent takes about 16% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$28,000/yr
Local median income
$51,069/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Independence's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$660
1 BR
$700
2 BR
$920
3 BR
$1,170
4 BR+
$1,330
Research median
$920/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: June 22, 2026

Annual cost
$8,400/yr
At $700/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -6.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Independence, KS is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 28.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
8,422
Median income
$51,069
Median age
38.3
Renters
30.4%
Age distribution
24.3%
22%
21.7%
13.2%
18.9%
Under 1824.3%
18–3422%
35–5421.7%
55–6413.2%
65+18.9%
Gender
50.8%
49.2%
Male50.8%
Female49.2%
Race & ethnicity
84.8%
White84.8%
Black2.1%
Hispanic8.1%
Other5%
Education (25+)
31.4%
32.6%
28.7%
No HS diploma7.4%
HS diploma31.4%
Some college32.6%
Bachelor's+28.7%
Housing tenure
69.6%
30.4%
Owner69.6%
Renter30.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Independence, KS has changed in 5 years

Income
$44,565 → $51,069
up 14.6%
Population
8,584 → 8,422
down 1.9%
Renter share
30.8% → 30.4%
-0.4 pts
Bachelor's+
25.3% → 28.7%
+3.4 pts

Census figures show median household income at $51,069 today, compared with $44,565 five years earlier. Census counts show Independence, KS losing about 162 residents over the five-year window, down 1.9% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 25.3% to 28.7% across the same window.

Community

Discussions about Independence

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View Independence rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Independence on your salary?

At $700/mo, how Independence rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Independence rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Independence. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Independence

About renting in Independence, KS

Last updated: June 22, 2026

The median rent in Independence is $700/mo as of June 2026. A studio apartment averages $660/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $920/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $700/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,170/mo.

At 16% of local median household income ($51,069/yr), Independence ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Independence an affordable city for renters?

Independence is considered very affordable for renters. At $700/mo, rent takes approximately 16% of the local median household income ($51,069/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Independence falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Independence?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $28,000/year (~$13/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $700/mo in Independence. The local median household income is $51,069/yr, meaning the typical Independence household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Independence?

Rent in Independence has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of June 2026.

How does Independence rent compare to other cities in Kansas?

Independence is one of the more affordable cities in Kansas for rent, ranking #26 out of 26 tracked cities at $700/mo.

What percentage of Independence residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 30.4% of Independence households are renters, while 69.6% are owner-occupied. Independence leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Independence rent compare to the national average?

Independence's median rent of $700/mo is $1,265 (64%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Kansas, it ranks #26 out of 26 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
16%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $700/mo, rent takes ~16% of Independence's median household income ($51,069/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Independence 16%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.1–5.7%
Run the Independence affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Independence, KS

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