Cost of Living in Independence, OH

Population 7,543 · Ohio · Data vintage 2023

107
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Independence sits on the smaller end of the Ohio city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible. An unemployment rate of 1.5% points to a labor market well on the tight side of the national distribution.

Geographically, Independence sits roughly 7 miles southeast of Cleveland. Median home values run roughly 225% higher than Cleveland's $94,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 100
Rent 118

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Independence

The median home value in Independence is $305,500 — equal to the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,547/month, 18% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $114,049/year is 53% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.5%, below the national average of 4.8%. Ohio's top state income tax rate is 3.8% and the combined sales tax is 7.2%. The climate averages highs of 58.9°F and lows of 45.8°F. Overall, Independence has a cost of living index of 107 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 7% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$305,500
0% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$472,853
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,547/mo
18% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.5x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.6%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$686
1 BR
$748
2 BR
$929
3 BR
$1,199
4 BR
$1,374
Owner-occupied 94.8%
Renter-occupied 5.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,547
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,161/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
26.2 min
3% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
17.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.6%
Carpooled
8.2%
Work from home
17.1%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 3.8%
Total Sales Tax 7.2%
State rate 5.8%
Avg local rate 1.4%
Property Tax 1.6%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$114,049
53% above avg
Per Capita Income
$60,510
Unemployment Rate
1.5%
69% below avg
Poverty Rate
1.8%
Labor Force Participation
63.2%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 29.1%
Graduate degree 22.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 48.7
Male median age 49.1
Female median age 48.5

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
58.9°F
Avg Low
45.8°F
Annual Precip
33.3"
20° 38° 55° 73° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 353745576877818074635140
Low °F 242531415363686760493830
Precip" 1.761.532.353.103.512.843.663.452.943.242.922.04

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 57 — Moderate
32.1%
Good air days/yr
234
Max AQI recorded
276
PM2.5 days
83
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

97%
4-Year Graduation Rate
13.9:1
Student-teacher ratio
3
Public schools
1,095
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Independence, OH?

Independence has a cost index of 107 (100 = national average). It is 7% above the national average.

What is average rent in Independence, OH?

The median gross rent in Independence is $1,547 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Independence?

The median home value in Independence is $305,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Independence?

The median household income in Independence is $114,049 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Independence, OH?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Independence is 7.2%. The Ohio state income tax top rate is 3.8%.

Is Independence, OH affordable?

Independence is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 107 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in Independence?

Independence has average high temperatures of 58.9°F and average lows of 45.8°F. Annual precipitation is 33.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Independence at a Glance

Population
7,543
Median Income
$114,049
Home Value
$305,500
Median Rent
$1,547/mo
Unemployment
1.5%
Avg High Temp
58.9°F
Sales Tax
7.2%
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🗺️ County data for Ohio

Explore county-level cost of living data

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