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City Report · MO

Independence

Pop. 121,740·49th most expensive in Missouri·Independence rents are up 7.5% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,368/mo
Year-over-Year
+7.5%
Month-over-Month
-0.7%
vs US Median
-$594
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Independence · $1,368
More affordable than 84% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
50/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Independence's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$1,368/mo
Expected by trend
$1,371/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Independence's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$975
1 BR
$1,073
2 BR
$1,227
3 BR
$1,602
4 BR+
$1,888
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,227/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,368 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$16,416/yr
At $1,368/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (7.5% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+7.5% YoY, -0.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Independence, MO is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 21.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
121,740
Median income
$60,339
Median age
39
Renters
39.1%
Age distribution
22.8%
22.3%
23.1%
13.1%
18.7%
Under 1822.8%
18–3422.3%
35–5423.1%
55–6413.1%
65+18.7%
Gender
48.6%
51.4%
Male48.6%
Female51.4%
Race & ethnicity
71.4%
13.3%
White71.4%
Black10.7%
Hispanic13.3%
Asian1.2%
Other3.4%
Education (25+)
36.8%
30.8%
21.9%
No HS diploma10.5%
HS diploma36.8%
Some college30.8%
Bachelor's+21.9%
Housing tenure
60.9%
39.1%
Owner60.9%
Renter39.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Independence, MO has changed in 5 years

Rent
$986 → $1,368
up 38.7%
Income
$53,996 → $60,339
up 11.7%
Population
122,230 → 121,740
down 0.4%
Renter share
40.4% → 39.1%
-1.3 pts
Bachelor's+
19.9% → 21.9%
+2.0 pts
Median age
39.5 → 39
-0.5 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in Independence, MO has climbed by $382 per month, settling near $1,368 after starting the period at $986. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $53,996 in 2021 to $60,339 more recently. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 27.0 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 19.9% to 21.9%. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Independence, MO market of 2021.

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 $1,368/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, MO

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Independence is $1,368/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $975/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,227/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,073/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,602/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($60,339/yr), Independence ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Independence an affordable city for renters?

Independence is considered affordable for renters. At $1,368/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($60,339/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 $55,000/year (~$26/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,368/mo in Independence. The local median household income is $60,339/yr, meaning the typical Independence household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Independence?

Rent in Independence has increased 7.5% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Independence neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Independence are 64053 ($1,082/mo), 64052 ($1,169/mo), and 64050 ($1,229/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Independence is $1,368/mo.

How does Independence rent compare to other cities in Missouri?

Independence is middle-of-the-pack for Missouri for rent, ranking #49 out of 79 tracked cities at $1,368/mo.

What percentage of Independence residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 39.1% of Independence households are renters, while 60.9% 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 $1,368/mo is $594 (30%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Missouri, it ranks #49 out of 79 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,368/mo, rent takes ~27% of Independence's median household income ($60,339/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Independence 27%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–4.7%
Run the Independence affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Independence
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Independence, MO

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