RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · KY

Independence

Pop. 29,392·2nd most expensive in Kentucky·Independence rents are up 8.3% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$2,143/mo
Year-over-Year
+8.3%
Month-over-Month
+2.8%
vs US Median
+$178
Rising (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Independence rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Independence · $2,143
More expensive than 66% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
25% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $2,143/mo, rent takes about 25% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$86,000/yr
Local median income
$102,361/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
$1,030
1 BR
$1,160
2 BR
$1,500
3 BR
$1,990
4 BR+
$2,200
Research median
$1,500/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$25,716/yr
At $2,143/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 8.3% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+8.3% YoY, +2.8% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Independence, KY is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 36.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
29,392
Median income
$102,361
Median age
33.7
Renters
16.2%
Age distribution
27.9%
24.1%
27.3%
Under 1827.9%
18–3424.1%
35–5427.3%
55–6410%
65+10.7%
Gender
49.9%
50.1%
Male49.9%
Female50.1%
Race & ethnicity
92.4%
White92.4%
Black1.5%
Hispanic2.5%
Asian1%
Other2.7%
Education (25+)
26.7%
31.8%
36.4%
No HS diploma5.1%
HS diploma26.7%
Some college31.8%
Bachelor's+36.4%
Housing tenure
83.8%
16.2%
Owner83.8%
Renter16.2%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Independence, KY has changed in 5 years

Income
$82,846 → $102,361
up 23.6%
Population
28,256 → 29,392
up 4.0%
Renter share
20.7% → 16.2%
-4.5 pts
Bachelor's+
34.9% → 36.4%
+1.5 pts

Household income in the area moved from $82,846 to $102,361 across the same window, up 23.6% versus 2021. Census counts show Independence, KY adding about 1,136 residents over the five-year window, up 4.0% on net. The renter share has eased from 20.7% to 16.2%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder.

Community

Discussions about Independence

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

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

Can you afford rent in Independence on your salary?

At $2,143/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, KY

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Independence is $2,143/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,030/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,500/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,160/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,990/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($102,361/yr), Independence ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Independence an affordable city for renters?

Independence is considered affordable for renters. At $2,143/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($102,361/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 $86,000/year (~$41/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,143/mo in Independence. The local median household income is $102,361/yr, meaning the typical Independence household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Independence?

Rent in Independence has increased 8.3% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Independence rent compare to other cities in Kentucky?

Independence is one of the pricier cities in Kentucky for rent, ranking #2 out of 39 tracked cities at $2,143/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Independence?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Independence ($2,143/mo): Erlanger ($1,242/mo), Fort Wright ($1,565/mo), Florence ($1,588/mo).

What percentage of Independence residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 16.2% of Independence households are renters, while 83.8% 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 $2,143/mo is $178 (9%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Kentucky, it ranks #2 out of 39 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $2,143/mo, rent takes ~25% of Independence's median household income ($102,361/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Independence 25%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4%
Run the Independence affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Independence
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Independence, KY

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Independence.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.