Independence, Missouri, known as "The Queen City of the Trails," is a historic and vibrant community located just east of Kansas City. With its rich history, diverse cultural scene, and strong sense of community, Independence offers a high quality of life for its residents. The city's blend of historic charm and modern amenities makes living in Independence an attractive option.
Residents of Independence enjoy a variety of recreational activities and cultural events. The city's numerous parks, trails, and recreational facilities provide ample opportunities for outdoor activities. The historic Independence Square and the Harry S. Truman National Historic Site are popular destinations that offer a mix of history, shopping, and dining. The Vaile Mansion and the Bingham-Waggoner Estate are cultural highlights that enrich the community.
Independence's strong economy is supported by a diverse range of industries, including healthcare, education, and retail. The city is home to several higher education institutions, including the Independence campus of Graceland University and Blue River Community College, which contribute to the city's vibrant academic and cultural environment.
The cost of living in Independence is relatively affordable, making it an attractive option for families and young professionals. The housing market includes a variety of options, from historic homes in charming neighborhoods to modern apartments and condos. The city's strong sense of community and welcoming atmosphere further enhance its appeal.
Public transportation in Independence is provided by the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA), facilitating easy commutes within the city and to neighboring areas. Independence's climate features four distinct seasons, with hot summers and cold winters, allowing for a variety of seasonal activities. Overall, Independence offers a blend of historic charm, cultural richness, and community spirit, making it a desirable place to live.
Amenities
Within the vicinity, you'll find a wealth of amenities, from restaurants and coffee shops to grocery stores and local shops, all easily accessible on foot.
Commute
High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.
Cost Of Living
Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.
Housing
The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.
Crime
High crime rates per 100,000 people are reported in this area, potentially indicating that it is an unsafe place to live. These statistics consider both violent and property offenses.
Independence, Missouri is a moderately-sized city with a population of 117,139 inhabitants. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (79% White). Given that fact, Independence could be considered less diverse than other cities. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Independence, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 24 minutes.
Are you trying to figure out if living in Independence is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a fulfilling experience before relocating to any new city in Missouri, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. With useful information like crime, cost of living, education, employment, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Independence and in the areas around Independence is a much easier task.
Independence has a livability score of 81 out of 100 and is ranked #10 in Missouri and #1,089 in the USA. Compared to the national average, Independence ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Independence has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. There are nine total categories that generate the livability score. Independence scores well for cost of living (A+) and housing (A+) Independence does not score well for the following: crime (F) and employment (D-). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
If you're considering living in Independence, it comes with numerous advantages, particularly in the form of an extensive selection of local amenities. These amenities play a pivotal role in elevating the quality of life within this vibrant community. From easily accessible grocery stores, to conveniently located fitness facilities, a diverse range of dining establishments and a multitude of shopping options, Independence provides a comprehensive array of resources for its residents. This ensures the effortless fulfillment of your daily needs and creates ample opportunities for relaxation and recreation. The convenience of these local offerings greatly contributes to the overall appeal of the area, making it an enticing destination for those in search of convenience, diversity, and a gratifying lifestyle. If you're contemplating a move, the abundance of local amenities could very well be a defining characteristic of this area. Among the enticing options for fun and exploration in Independence are: Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, Vaile Mansion, and National Frontier Trails Museum.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Independence excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Independence is real estate affordability. The median home price for Independence homes is $121,200, which is 14.2% lower than the Missouri average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Independence, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.4, which is 17.2% lower than the Missouri average.
| Statistic | Independence | Missouri | National |
| Average one way commute | 24min | 23min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 86.3% | 81.6% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 7.3% | 9.1% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.3% | 1.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 0.6% | 1.9% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.8% | 4.6% | 4.6% |
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