Independence, IA Cost Of Living

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-24

Cost Of Living In Independence, IA Summary

Cost of living in Independence research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means Independence is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in Iowa, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in Independence is 81, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in Independence is 0.8x lower than the national average.

  • Independence ranks as the #4 cheapest in Iowa out of 85.

  • Independence ranks as the #158 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in Independence is $216,200.

  • The median income in Independence is $72,250.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
81
Independence's Overall Cost Of Living
0.8x
Lower Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in Independence, IA?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Independence has an overall cost of living index of 81, which is 0.8x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to Iowa, Independence has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than Iowa's index of 90.

The standard of living in Independence ranks as #4 most affordable out of the 85 places we measured in Iowa. By definition, that implies Independence ranks as the #81 most expensive place in the Hawkeye State.

For more reading on life in Independence, check out:

4 out of 85
In Iowa
158 out of 6,489
In America

Independence Cost Of Living Vs. Iowa

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Independence. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in Independence is 83.

  • The Groceries index in Independence is 94.

  • The Health index in Independence is 102.

  • The Housing index in Independence is 74.

  • The Transportation index in Independence is 96.

  • The Utilities index in Independence is 84.

Living Expense Independence Iowa National Average
Overall 81 90 100
Services 83 96 100
Groceries 94 97 100
Health 102 99 100
Housing 74 75 100
Transportation 96 99 100
Utilities 84 94 100
For more reading on cost of living around Iowa, check out:
Independence Cost of Living Vs. IA

Independence, IA Housing Cost Breakdown

Housing swings affordability the most between places in Iowa, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2019-2023. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in Independence is $216,200.

  • The Median Rent in Independence is $769.

  • The Median Income in Independence is $72,250.

  • The Home Value To Income in Independence is 3.0x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Independence is 0.13x.

Statistic Independence Iowa United States
Median Home Value $216,200 $230,258 $303,400
Median Rent $769 $949 $1,348
Median Income $72,250 $73,147 $78,538
Home Value To Income 3.0x 3.1x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.13x 0.16x 0.21x
$216,200
Median Home Value
$769
Median Rent
$72,250
Median Income

Independence, IA Costs By Category

Detailed Independence Services Costs Vs. Iowa

Item Independence Iowa
Shampoo $1.23 $1.28
Movie $12.84 $12.13
Bowling $11.5 $18
Haircut $19.76 $24.26
Beauty Salon $29.46 $45.56

Detailed Independence Groceries Costs Vs. Iowa

Item Independence Iowa
Ground Beef $5.96 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.41 $1.57
Milk $4.8 $4.67
Potatoes $4.85 $4.93
Pizza $10.99 $12.09
Beer $9.73 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.8 $3.7

Detailed Independence Health Costs Vs. Iowa

Item Independence Iowa
Optometrist $159.2 $125.68
Doctor $151.67 $135.78
Dentist $100.97 $113.29

Detailed Independence Transportation Costs Vs. Iowa

Item Independence Iowa
Gasoline $3.4 $3.46
Tire Balancing $53.77 $59.92

Detailed Independence Utilities Costs Vs. Iowa

Item Independence Iowa
All Electricity $147.73 $193.99
Phone $187.56 $192.25

Independence SnackAbility

6
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
8.5/10
Housing
6
Affordability
8.5
Diversity
4
Safety
7
Amenities
7
Education
8.5
Commute
8

Cost Of Living In Cities Around Independence

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Independence. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:

  • Cedar Rapids, IA has a cost of living index of 92, 1.1x Independence.

  • Marion, IA has a cost of living index of 97, 1.2x Independence.

  • Cedar Falls, IA has a cost of living index of 92, 1.1x Independence.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Independence
Cedar Rapids, IA 136,859 92 1.1x
Marion, IA 41,690 97 1.2x
Cedar Falls, IA 40,662 92 1.1x
Central, LA 29,603 106 1.3x
La Porte, IN 22,125 83 1.0x
Waverly, IA 10,446 91 1.1x
Hiawatha, IA 7,178 93 1.1x
Anamosa, IA 5,553 88 1.1x
Manchester, IA 5,144 87 1.1x

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