Cost of Living in Independence
Independence's cost of living runs genuinely low on housing, even as it shares Montgomery County's above-average property tax rate with neighboring Coffeyville.
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Learn moreGenuinely affordable housing
Zillow's own average home value ran approximately $110,909 (down 0.3% YoY), though Redfin's own median sale price ran meaningfully higher, a real, disclosed spread (base record).
A shared, above-average property tax rate
Independence shares Montgomery County's cited 2026 effective rate of 1.70% with neighboring Coffeyville -- above the Kansas statewide average -- though no Independence-specific city-level figure was confirmed this pass (base record).
Kansas's real, favorable income tax and Social Security exemption
Kansas's 2-bracket 2026 income tax (5.2%/5.58%) pairs with a full state income tax exemption for Social Security benefits for all residents (base record).
Key takeaways
- Independence's home values (~$111K-$191K across sources) run well below the Kansas statewide median.
- Montgomery County's 1.70% effective property tax rate runs above the Kansas statewide average.
- Kansas's 5.2%/5.58% income tax and full Social Security exemption apply exactly as they do statewide.
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