Cost of Living in Independence
Independence's cost of living pairs genuinely moderate home values against a real, disclosed local-tax layer beyond Kentucky's own flat state income tax.
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Learn moreA real, disclosed home-value spread
Zillow's own average home value ran $331,613 (up 3.0% YoY), while the median list price ran meaningfully higher at $415,300 as of August 2026 -- a real, disclosed asking-vs-typical-value gap worth confirming directly with current listings.
A real, layered local-tax picture
Independence's own 1.25% city payroll tax stacks on top of Kentucky's flat, CONTINGENT 3.5% state income tax (effective January 1, 2026), plus Kenton County's own approximately 1.00% effective property tax rate.
No local sales-tax add-ons anywhere in Kentucky
Kentucky's flat 6% state sales tax rate is the whole story -- no city or county sales-tax add-ons apply anywhere in the state, including Independence.
Key takeaways
- Home values carry a real, disclosed spread ($331,613 average value to $415,300 median list price).
- Independence's 1.25% city payroll tax is a real, disclosed cost beyond Kentucky's own state income tax.
- Kentucky's flat 6% sales tax has no local add-ons anywhere in the state.
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