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City · 29,392 residents · Kenton County, Kentucky

Independence , Kentucky

In Independence, a typical home is worth $263,700 and typical rent is $1,250 a month. Compared with all of Kenton County, typical household income is 27% higher, typical rent is 17% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 13 points higher.

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  • Typical home value

    $263,700

    8% above the county

    28% above Kentucky

    • Independence
    • Kenton
    • Kentucky

  • Typical rent

    $1,250a month

    17% above the county

    29% above Kentucky

    • Independence
    • Kenton
    • Kentucky

  • Typical household income

    $102,361a year

    27% above the county

    61% above Kentucky

    • Independence
    • Kenton
    • Kentucky

  • Households that own their home

    84%

    13 points above the county

    16 points above Kentucky

    • Independence
    • Kenton
    • Kentucky

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

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$328,415
3% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$2,000 a month
5.6% more than 12 months ago

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

Independence is in Kenton 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 Kenton 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 Elsmere, the typical home value is $171,900: 35% less than in Independence ($263,700).

  2. The typical household income in Independence is $102,361, 27% more than in Kenton County as a whole ($80,548).

  3. Nearby, in Covington, the typical rent is $1,006: 20% less than in Independence ($1,250).

  4. 84% of households in Independence own their home, against 71% in Kenton County.

  5. According to Zillow, in the 12 months to September 2026 the typical home value in Independence rose 3%; in Kentucky, it barely changed.

  6. The typical rent in Independence is $1,250 a month, 17% more than in Kenton County as a whole ($1,069).

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 rules in Independence: 85% of homes, more than in Kenton County (68%).

Year built

Homes in Independence are newer: the typical year built is 1999; in Kenton County, 1974.

Homes in Independence are bigger: 84% have 3 bedrooms or more; in Kenton County, 61%.

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

About 94% of owner-occupied homes in Independence are worth less than the FHA loan limit for Kenton County ($541,287).

Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$1,666 a month

Kenton County: $1,584 a month

Without a mortgage

$575 a month

Kenton County: $580 a month

Owners with a mortgage

80%

Kenton County: 68%

In Independence, 80% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $1,666 a month, against $1,584 in Kenton County. Without one it drops to $575.

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 rose 52% since 2015–2019, about the same as in Kenton County (52%).

Much as in Kenton County, the typical rent in Independence rose 30% since 2015–2019.

The typical household income in Independence rose 25%: less than home values (+52%) and rent (+30%).

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

MeasureIndependenceKenton CountyKentuckyUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimate6.3%4.6%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate1.4%0.9%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate2.1%2.0%3.4%
People per household 3.002.522.432.53
Drive alone 79%75%77%69%
Carpool 6%7%9%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimate1%1%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate1%2%3%
Work from home 14%14%10%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate2%1%2%
Typical commute 20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Households in Independence are bigger: 3.00 people on average; in Kenton County, 2.52.

In Independence, 79% of workers drive alone to work; in Kenton County, 75%.

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 $263,700, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 26% of the typical household income in Independence, which is $102,361 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Kenton 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 $9,230 (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

$2,192

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$258,923
Total interest
$372,530
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $4,453 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $2,388 a month

    Your payment · 26%

  • Tight

    $2,388 to $3,071 a month

  • Hard

    more than $3,071 a month

Compared with the typical household income in Independence ($102,361 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$2,192
Principal & interest$1,754
Property tax$211
Home insurance$110
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$117

You need at least $9,230 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 Kenton County

Independence is in Kenton County, Kentucky. 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
$263,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,250
Typical yearly household income
$102,361
Households that own their home
84%
Effective property tax rate
0.96%

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

Numbers for all of Kenton County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,442
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+53%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
0.9%

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 Kenton County.

Everything about Kenton County

Buying

Buying a home in Independence

A typical home in Independence is worth $263,700: 8% above the county and 28% above Kentucky. With the typical household income in Independence ($102,361 a year), a typical home costs 2.6 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 2.6 years
  • Kenton 3.0 years
  • Kentucky 3.2 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Kenton County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Kenton County rose 96% in the 10 years through 2025.

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

Period County Kentucky U.S.
Last year (2025) +3.6% +3.9% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +53% +50% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +96% +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 Kenton County, Kentucky and the U.S.

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

Typical home value
  • Independence $263,700
  • Kenton $244,400
  • Kentucky $205,600
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Independence $1,250
  • Kenton $1,069
  • Kentucky $967
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Independence $102,361
  • Kenton $80,548
  • Kentucky $63,726
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Independence next to Kenton County and Kentucky
Measure Independence Kenton County Kentucky U.S.
Typical home value $263,700 $244,400 $205,600 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $1,250 $1,069 $967 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $102,361 $80,548 $63,726 $80,734
Households that own their home 84% 71% 68% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $2,527 $2,395 $1,544 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 0.96% 0.98% 0.75% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 38% 44% 45% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Kenton 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 $263,700 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 $2,192a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $9,230
    Cash to close
    $17,141
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $117

  • Conventional, 5% down $2,143a month

    Down payment
    $13,185
    Cash to close
    $21,096
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $125

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $1,750a month

    Down payment
    $52,740
    Cash to close
    $60,651
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $1,994a month

    Down payment
    $39,555
    Cash to close
    $47,466
    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 Kenton County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Independence

0.96%of the home’s value each year

$2,527 a year for the typical owner in Independence.

  • Independence 0.96%
  • Kenton 0.98%
  • Kentucky 0.75%

What Kentucky publishes Homestead exemption for owners 65 or older or totally disabled (Kentucky Department of Revenue)

Exemptions and deadlines in Kentucky

Flood risk in Kenton County

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

Homes in the high-risk zone
0.9%
496
Of those, with NFIP insurance
31%
County Kentucky U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 0.9% 3.5% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 31% 19% 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 $1,250 a month: 17% above the county. In Independence, 38% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Kenton County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,442 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $27.73 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Kenton 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 $1,052 $20.23 $42,080
1 bedroom $1,128 $21.69 $45,120
2 bedrooms $1,442 $27.73 $57,680
3 bedrooms $1,897 $36.48 $75,880
4 bedrooms $2,141 $41.17 $85,640

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 41051.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,650: $208 more than the fair market rent for Kenton County ($1,442).

  • 41051 $1,650$2,170

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 5 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Independence. These are the largest.

  • Taylor Ridge 904 Regal Ridge Dr, Independence 41051 100 homes, 99 low-income · For families (859) 356-2500
  • Taylor Ridge Apartments Regal Ridge Drive, Independence 41051 99 low-income homes · 2 bd: 72 · 3 bd: 27 · In service since 2015 · For families
  • VOA/ORV Bunker Hill Court 11567 Bunker Hill Ct, Independence 41051 6 low-income homes · For people with disabilities (859) 372-5600
  • VOA/ORV Madison Pike 5190 Madison Pike, Independence 41051 4 homes, 3 low-income · For people with disabilities (859) 372-5600
  • VOA/ORV Autumn Ridge 10768 Autumnridge Dr, Independence 41051 3 low-income homes · For people with disabilities (859) 372-5600

See all 49 buildings in Kenton 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.

There are 2 HUD-approved agencies with an office in Kenton County; 2 say they serve in Spanish.

An older man and his daughter go over papers with a professional.

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 Kenton County. The ones below are statewide in Kentucky: they work in Independence the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Kentucky

  • KHC Down Payment Assistance (DPA)

    Statewide in Kentucky

    Kentucky state corporation loan of up to $12,500 for the down payment and closing costs, repaid over 15 years as a second loan, for buyers who take a KHC mortgage. Offered by Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC).

    Repayable

    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.

  • Catholic Charities, Diocese of Covington

    3629 Church St, Covington · 7 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 2 more
    (859) 581-8974

  • Legal Aid of the Bluegrass

    104 E 7th St, Covington · 9 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Homelessness services
    • and 2 more
    (859) 431-8200

  • Brighton Center, Incorporated

    799 Ann Street, Newport · 9 miles away · Spanish

    Also serves in Portuguese.

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 9 more
    (859) 491-8303

Every agency in Kenton County All counseling agencies in Kentucky

Help in Spanish near Independence

3 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 Kenton County is named for Independence or Kenton County.

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

Cities

Other cities in Kenton County

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

Everything about Kenton County Housing in Kentucky

Nearby cities

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

Neighboring counties

If Kenton 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
A father and mother walk their son by the hand down the sidewalk.

Questions

Housing questions about Independence

Short answers with the numbers for Independence and all of Kenton 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 $263,700, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Kenton County it is $244,400.

How much does it cost to rent in Independence?

Typical rent in Independence is $1,250 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Kenton County is $1,442.

What is the FHA loan limit in Independence?

Independence uses the FHA limit for all of Kenton 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 $2,527 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.96% of the home’s value; in Kenton County, the rate is 0.98%.

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

There are 2 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Kenton County. 2 say they serve in Spanish. 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).