At $1,932/mo, rent takes about 27% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,932 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Independence changed +1.7% over the year to September 2026. Across the 54 Oregon cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +1.9%.
Rent has risen 2 months in a row, and rose in 5 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($85,375) is $2,134 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,760); a 3-bedroom is $2,450.
Salem, 9 miles away, rents for 17% less ($1,611/mo), about $3,900 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Independence. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Independence, OR is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, 27% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Independence, OR has changed in 5 years
Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $65,019 in 2021 to $85,375 more recently. Census counts show Independence, OR adding about 349 residents over the five-year window, up 3.5% on net. The renter share has risen from 41.1% to 45.4%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 18.1% to 27% across the same window.
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Can you afford rent in Independence on your salary?
At $1,932/mo, how Independence rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Independence rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Independence. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Independence
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Independence is $1,932/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,310/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,760/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,370/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,450/mo.
At 27% of local median household income ($85,375/yr), Independence ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.7% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Independence?
Is rent going up or down in Independence?
How does Independence rent compare to other cities in Oregon?
At $1,932/mo, rent takes ~27% of Independence's median household income ($85,375/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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