Independence 61 Average
Independence Livability #751 ranked city in Minnesota#18,457 ranked city in the USARanks better than 37% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Independence

PROS
  • Crime Crime

    This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.

  • Employment Employment

    This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.

  • Housing Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute Commute

    Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Residents of this area contend with a high cost of living, resulting in increased expenditures for everyday goods and services, housing, utilities and health care.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Factors like poor air quality and the absence of essential health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and pharmacies could have played a role in the low score in this category.

What's it like Living in Independence?

Located in the state of Minnesota, Independence is a smaller city with a population of 3,869 residents. In Independence, there are 119 people per square mile, which is well below the national population density average. According to the most recent Census, 96% of Independence residents are White, 2% Black and 0% Asian. If you are looking for a family friendly city, Independence might be a good fit as 71% of the population over 15 years old are married, and 52% have kids who are 18 years old or younger. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Independence, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 27 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Independence could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Minnesota if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. The best areas in Independence and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, commute, education, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Minnesota and national averages.

With a livability score of 61/100, Independence is ranked #17,449 in the United States and #699 in Minnesota. For each of the livability categories, we know that Independence ranks very well for crime (A+). There are some categories that Independence scores poorly for, including: amenities (F) and cost of living (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to find out why.

Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Independence has an unemployment rate of 0% could mean increased job opportunities with a higher demand for workers. It could also lead to higher wages, as the demand for workers exceeds the availability of jobs. Most importantly, it could be a sign of a healthy and thriving local economy.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Independence apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Independence real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Independence. The median home price for Independence homes is $1,005,938, which is 196.7% higher than the Minnesota average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Independence, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.8, which is 2.7% higher than the Minnesota average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Independence

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Compare Independence, MN Livability

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      Independence transportation information

      Statistic Independence Minnesota National
      Average one way commute27min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work72.3%78.0%76.4%
      Workers who carpool8.3%8.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%3.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.8%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.6%2.8%2.8%
      Working from home16.2%5.3%4.6%
      Source: The Independence, MN data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.