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 91, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Iowa, Independence has a cost of living index that's 1.0x higher than Iowa's index of 90.
The standard of living in Independence ranks as #42 most affordable out of the 85 places we measured in Iowa. By definition, that implies Independence ranks as the #43 most expensive place in the Hawkeye State.
For more reading on life in Independence, check out:
Independence Cost Of Living Vs. Iowa
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Independence. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Independence is 95.
The Groceries index in Independence is 98.
The Health index in Independence is 74.
The Housing index in Independence is 100.
The Transportation index in Independence is 96.
The Utilities index in Independence is 93.
| Living Expense | Independence | Iowa | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 91 | 90 | 100 |
| Services | 95 | 99 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 95 | 100 |
| Health | 74 | 75 | 100 |
| Housing | 100 | 97 | 100 |
| Transportation | 96 | 93 | 100 |
| Utilities | 93 | 94 | 100 |
Independence Cost Of Living Compared To Iowa Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Iowa, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Independence Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
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 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Independence is $216,073.
The Median Rent in Independence is $820.
The Median Income in Independence is $73,806.
The Home Value To Income in Independence is 2.9x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Independence is 0.13x.
| Statistic | Independence | Iowa | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $216,073 | $231,584 | $332,700 |
| Median Rent | $820 | $972 | $1,413 |
| Median Income | $73,806 | $75,059 | $80,734 |
| Home Value To Income | 2.9x | 3.1x | 4.1x |
| Rent To Monthly Income | 0.13x | 0.16x | 0.21x |
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
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, 1.0x Independence.
Marion, IA has a cost of living index of 94, 1.0x Independence.
Cedar Falls, IA has a cost of living index of 101, 1.1x Independence.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Independence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 137,264 | 92 | 1.0x |
| Marion, IA | 41,896 | 94 | 1.0x |
| Cedar Falls, IA | 40,888 | 101 | 1.1x |
| Central, LA | 29,783 | 105 | 1.2x |
| La Porte, IN | 22,449 | 85 | 0.9x |
| Waverly, IA | 10,494 | 95 | 1.0x |
| Hiawatha, IA | 7,206 | 93 | 1.0x |
| Anamosa, IA | 5,629 | 87 | 1.0x |
| Manchester, IA | 5,191 | 85 | 0.9x |
