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City · 8,422 residents · Montgomery County, Kansas

Independence , Kansas

In Independence, a typical home is worth $88,800 and typical rent is $789 a month. Compared with all of Montgomery County, the typical home value is 13% lower and typical household income is 8% lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $88,800

    13% below the county

    59% below Kansas

    • Independence
    • Montgomery
    • Kansas

  • Typical rent

    $789a month

    4% above the county

    26% below Kansas

    • Independence
    • Montgomery
    • Kansas

  • Typical household income

    $51,069a year

    8% below the county

    31% below Kansas

    • Independence
    • Montgomery
    • Kansas

  • Households that own their home

    70%

    3 points below the county

    2 points above Kansas

    • Independence
    • Montgomery
    • Kansas

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$121,315
8.7% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Independence is in Montgomery County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Montgomery County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Independence apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. Nearby, in Coffeyville, the typical home value is $60,800: 32% less than in Independence ($88,800).

  2. According to Zillow, in the 12 months to September 2026 the typical home value in Independence rose 8.7%; in Kansas, it rose 3.5%.

  3. Independence has the 6th lowest typical household income of the 65 cities in Kansas with more than 5,000 people ($51,069).

  4. Independence has the 6th lowest typical home value of the 64 cities in Kansas with more than 5,000 people ($88,800).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); Zillow (September 2026 data). Zillow data

The homes here

Housing in Independence

What homes there are in Independence, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

The detached house is the most common home in Independence: 80% of homes, near the figure in Montgomery County (83%).

Year built

Homes in Independence are older: the typical year built is 1954; in Montgomery County, 1958.

By size, homes in Independence look like those in Montgomery County: 60% have 3 bedrooms or more.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes
Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$1,286 a month

Montgomery County: $1,345 a month

Without a mortgage

$512 a month

Montgomery County: $530 a month

Owners with a mortgage

52%

Montgomery County: 46%

Owning costs about the same in Independence as in Montgomery County: with a mortgage, $1,286 a month; without one, $512.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

The typical home value in Independence stayed about the same since 2015–2019: the Census sees no clear change.

Much as in Montgomery County, the typical rent in Independence rose 16% since 2015–2019.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureIndependenceMontgomery CountyKansasUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimate9.0%6.2%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate0.9%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate2.0%2.1%3.4%
People per household 2.242.332.442.53
Drive alone 81%81%75%69%
Carpool 12%11%9%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate0%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate3%3%3%
Work from home 4%4%12%15%
Other means Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1%2%
Typical commute Unreliable estimate10 to 19 minutes10 to 19 minutes20 to 29 minutes

By size, households in Independence look like those in Montgomery County: 2.24 people on average.

To get to work, 81% of workers in Independence drive alone; in Montgomery County, 81%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Independence?

A typical home is within reach of the typical income

We start with a typical home in Independence, worth $88,800, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 19% of the typical household income in Independence, which is $51,069 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Montgomery County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Independence. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $3,108 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$802

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$87,192
Total interest
$125,448
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $1,500 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,192 a month

    Your payment · 19%

  • Tight

    $1,192 to $1,532 a month

  • Hard

    more than $1,532 a month

Compared with the typical household income in Independence ($51,069 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$802
Principal & interest$591
Property tax$135
Home insurance$37
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$39

You need at least $3,108 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

Independence and Montgomery County

Independence is in Montgomery County, Kansas. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

Independence's own numbers

Typical home value
$88,800
Typical monthly rent
$789
Typical yearly household income
$51,069
Households that own their home
70%
Effective property tax rate
1.83%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Montgomery County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$961
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+46%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
2.3%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Montgomery County.

Everything about Montgomery County

Buying

Buying a home in Independence

A typical home in Independence is worth $88,800: 13% below the county and 59% below Kansas. With the typical household income in Independence ($51,069 a year), a typical home costs 1.7 times what the household earns in a year.

Years of income to pay for a typical home

The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.

  • Independence 1.7 years
  • Montgomery 1.8 years
  • Kansas 2.9 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Montgomery County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Montgomery County rose 54% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Montgomery County.

Period County Kansas U.S.
Last year (2025) +5.6% +4.1% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +46% +49% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +54% +84% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Independence next to Montgomery County, Kansas and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Independence $88,800
  • Montgomery $101,700
  • Kansas $217,200
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Independence $789
  • Montgomery $761
  • Kansas $1,060
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Independence $51,069
  • Montgomery $55,697
  • Kansas $74,275
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Independence next to Montgomery County and Kansas
Measure Independence Montgomery County Kansas U.S.
Typical home value $88,800 $101,700 $217,200 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $789 $761 $1,060 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $51,069 $55,697 $74,275 $80,734
Households that own their home 70% 73% 67% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $1,626 $1,754 $2,798 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 1.83% 1.72% 1.29% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 47% 48% 43% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Montgomery County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Independence

For a typical $88,800 home in Independence, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Independence's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $802a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $3,108
    Cash to close
    $5,772
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $39

  • Conventional, 5% down $786a month

    Down payment
    $4,440
    Cash to close
    $7,104
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $42

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $654a month

    Down payment
    $17,760
    Cash to close
    $20,424
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $736a month

    Down payment
    $13,320
    Cash to close
    $15,984
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.

  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Independence and for Montgomery County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Independence

1.83%of the home’s value each year

$1,626 a year for the typical owner in Independence.

  • Independence 1.83%
  • Montgomery 1.72%
  • Kansas 1.29%

What Kansas publishes Residential exemption from the statewide school levy (Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes (Kansas Statutes Annotated))

Exemptions and deadlines in Kansas

Flood risk in Montgomery County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Montgomery County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
2.3%
336
Of those, with NFIP insurance
19%
County Kansas U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 2.3% 2% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 19% 15% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Independence

Typical rent in Independence is $789 a month: 4% above the county. In Independence, 47% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Montgomery County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($961 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $18.48 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Montgomery County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $669 $12.87 $26,760
1 bedroom $757 $14.56 $30,280
2 bedrooms $961 $18.48 $38,440
3 bedrooms $1,205 $23.17 $48,200
4 bedrooms $1,606 $30.88 $64,240

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in Independence

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Independence is in ZIP code 67301.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,040: $79 more than the fair market rent for Montgomery County ($961).

  • 67301 $1,040$1,300

1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Independence when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Independence

HUD lists 8 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Independence. These are the largest.

  • Penn Terrace Apts 401 S Penn Ave, Independence 67301 100 homes, 99 low-income · For older adults (620) 331-1678
  • Penn Manor Apartments 601 S Penn Ave, Independence 67301 49 homes, 48 low-income · For older adults (620) 331-8010
  • Garden Walk of Indepence II- Village North II 1702 N 10th St, Independence 67301 48 homes, 47 low-income · In service since 1994
  • Mckinley Housing 1003 E Cedar St, Independence 67301 28 low-income homes · 1 bd: 10 · 2 bd: 10 · 3 bd: 12 · In service since 2010 · For families
  • Garden Walk of Independence 1710 N 10th St, Independence 67301 24 homes, 23 low-income · In service since 1994

See all 23 buildings in Montgomery County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Independence

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Montgomery County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.

A man leans over the armchair to help a teenage girl with her book.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Independence

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Independence or Montgomery County. The ones below are statewide in Kansas: they work in Independence the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Kansas

  • First Time Homebuyer Program

    Statewide in Kansas

    Kansas state corporation 0% loan for 15% or 20% of the price for the down payment and closing costs, forgiven after 10 years in the home, for households with income up to 80% of the area median; not available in Johnson County or in Kansas City, Lawrence, Topeka and Wichita. Offered by Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC).

    Forgivable

    See the program Official page

Housing counselors near Independence

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Independence, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • Cambridge Credit Counseling Corporation - Wichita Branch

    727 N Waco Ave, Wichita · 95 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 4 more
    (800) 757-1788

  • Community Housing of Wyandotte County, Inc.

    2 S 14th St, Kansas City · 142 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Workshops for new owners
    • and 3 more
    (913) 342-7580

  • Catholic Charities of Southwest Kansas

    804 N 2nd Ave, Dodge City · 239 miles away · Spanish

    Also serves in Creole, French, and Swahili.

    • Budget and financial counseling
    • Home improvement and repairs
    • and 4 more
    (620) 227-1562

All counseling agencies in Kansas

Help in Spanish near Independence

2 of the 3 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Independence

In HUD’s record, no housing authority with an office in Montgomery County is named for Independence or Montgomery County.

One other authority has an office in Montgomery County: see the list Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in Montgomery County

These cities are also in Montgomery County. They share its loan limits and fair market rents, but home values and rent change from one to the next.

Everything about Montgomery County Housing in Kansas

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Independence, with the typical home value.

Neighboring counties

If Montgomery County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Independence.

All guides
Three women of one family talk as they cook vegetables in the kitchen.

Questions

Housing questions about Independence

Short answers with the numbers for Independence and all of Montgomery County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in Independence?

The typical home value in Independence is $88,800, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Montgomery County it is $101,700.

How much does it cost to rent in Independence?

Typical rent in Independence is $789 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Montgomery County is $961.

What is the FHA loan limit in Independence?

Independence uses the FHA limit for all of Montgomery County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in Independence?

The typical homeowner in Independence pays $1,626 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.83% of the home’s value; in Montgomery County, the rate is 1.72%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Independence?

We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Montgomery County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).