Cost of living in Independence

Independence, Kansas, offers a unique blend of small-town charm and affordability, making it an attractive place for families and individuals alike. Understanding the cost of living in Independence is crucial for anyone considering a move to this city.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the expenses you can expect, from dining and groceries to housing and transportation, helping you plan your budget effectively.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $25 on average.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $80.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $8.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer is $5, imported beer $6, cappuccino $4, and Coke/Pepsi $1.5.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced at $1.19 per liter.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs $2.2.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs cost $3.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Bananas) - Apples cost $2.76 per kg, while bananas are $1.1 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Lettuce) - Lettuce costs $3 per head.
  • Local Cheese - Local cheese is priced at $11.02 per kg.
  • Beef - Beef round costs $17.64 per kg.

Transportation

  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced at $0.82 per liter.
  • Car Purchase - A new Volkswagen Golf costs $25,500, while a Toyota Corolla is $24,500.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment outside the centre averages $600.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment outside the centre averages $1000.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost $137.24.
  • Internet - Internet services cost $70.
  • Mobile Phone Plan - A mobile phone plan with calls and 10GB+ data costs $70.
Worldwide
United States

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for the United States are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in United States, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Feb, 2025
New York, NY
1. New York
New York
San Francisco, CA
2. San Francisco
California
Honolulu, HI
3. Honolulu
Hawaii
Boston, MA
4. Boston
Massachusetts
Seattle, WA
5. Seattle
Washington
Washington, DC
6. Washington
United States
San Diego, CA
7. San Diego
California
Los Angeles, CA
8. Los Angeles
California
Sacramento, CA
9. Sacramento
California
Philadelphia, PA
10. Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
Full Cost of Living Rankings

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 1 user contributions, as of the most recent update in September, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$25.00
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$80.00
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$8.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.00
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.00
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50
Cappuccino (regular)
$4.00
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$1.19
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$2.20
Eggs (regular) (12)
$3.00
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.02
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$10.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.14
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.50
Apples (1kg)
$2.76
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.00
Banana (1kg)
$1.10
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$17.64
Transportation
Avg / Range
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.82
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$25,500.00
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$24,500.00
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$600.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$1,000.00
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$137.24
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$70.00
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$70.00
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$30.00
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$10.00
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.00
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$100.00
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$100.00
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$400.00
OverviewJob Market
Independence Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Independence, KS, offers a relatively affordable cost of living, especially in terms of housing and transportation.

Dining out can be moderately priced, with options ranging from fast food to mid-range restaurants.

Grocery prices are reasonable, with essentials like milk, bread, and eggs being quite affordable.

Utilities and internet services are competitively priced, making it easier to manage monthly expenses.

Conclusion

Overall, Independence, Kansas, provides a cost-effective living environment with a balance of affordable housing, reasonable grocery prices, and manageable utility costs.

This makes it an appealing choice for those looking to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle without the high expenses often associated with larger cities.

Independence

Nearby Cities

We don't have any relevant "Quality of life" data on cities with a 200 mile radius of Independence
All cities in Kansas