Cost to Own
United States › Kansas › Montgomery County › Independence Population 8,469 Data vintage ACS 2023 5-Year Rates updated 2026-10-29
The part nobody budgets Even with the mortgage fully paid off, the median home here still costs $434 a month in taxes, insurance, utilities and upkeep. See the full Montgomery County picture

Total monthly cost of ownership

Cost to Own a Home in Independence, Kansas

A $79,000 home here costs

$865

per month, all in, with 20% down at today's 7.24% 30-year fixed rate. By the 28% rule that takes a household income of about $37,000 a year.

P&I 50%Tax 14%Insurance 5%Utilities 24%Upkeep 8%

A standard mortgage calculator would have told you $431. The real number is $434 higher every month, 101% more than the payment most buyers budget for.

Compare Montgomery County with anywhere in America · full county breakdown

Independence median: $78,500
Under 20% adds PMI
Freddie Mac PMMS
KS average household

Where every dollar goes

Only the first line is a mortgage payment. Change any assumption above and every figure below recalculates.

Principal & interest30-year fixed, $63,200 borrowed $431
Property tax1.805% effective rate for Independence itself $119
Homeowners insuranceKansas averages $1,491/yr (NAIC), or 0.7% of home value $46
Electricity15.47ยข/kWh, Kansas residential average, EIA $136
Water, sewer & trashUS household average $68
Maintenance reserve1% of home value per year $66
Total monthly $865

Independence against Montgomery County and Kansas

MeasureIndependenceMontgomery County
Median home value$78,500$92,100
Median property tax$1,417$1,562
Effective tax rate1.805%1.696%
Median gross rent$790$759
Population8,46931,143

The weather behind that power bill

Independence sits in Montgomery County, which averages a high of 90.7°F in its hottest month and a low of 22.7°F in its coldest, with 45.4" of precipitation a year and 39% of it in a single three-month stretch. That climate drives 1,618 cooling and 4,284 heating degree days, which is what sets the $136 electricity line above.

See the full climate breakdown for Montgomery County , month by month temperatures, rainy season timing, snowfall and heating and cooling costs.

Other cities in Montgomery County

Full Montgomery County cost breakdown · Every county in Kansas

Talk to someone who works this market

These are Independence averages. What one specific house costs to own, or what it would sell for today, depends on the street and the condition of the place. We will connect you with one licensed local agent who works Independence every week. Free, no obligation, and we never sell your details to a list.

I'm looking to buy in Independence I already own here and may sell

Common questions

How much does it cost to own a home in Independence?

A $79,000 home in Independence, Kansas costs approximately $865 per month with 20% down at 7.24%. That is $431 principal and interest, $119 property tax, $46 homeowners insurance, $204 utilities and $66 set aside for maintenance.

What is the property tax rate in Independence?

Independence has an effective property tax rate of 1.805%, based on a median home value of $78,500 and median real estate taxes of $1,417. That is higher than the Montgomery County average of 1.696%.

What is the average home price in Independence?

The median owner-occupied home value in Independence, Kansas is $78,500, against $92,100 across Montgomery County.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Independence?

Median gross rent in Independence is $790 a month, against $865 to own the median home all in. Renting costs less month to month here, though renting builds no equity.

What salary do you need to buy a home in Independence?

Using the standard 28% rule, housing costs at no more than 28% of gross income, buying the median home in Independence, Kansas at today's rate takes a household income of roughly $37,000 a year. That covers the full $865 monthly cost, not just the mortgage payment.

Sources & methodology

  • Median home value, real estate taxes, gross rent and population for Independence, US Census Bureau, American Community Survey ACS 2023 5-Year, place-level tables.
  • Homeowners insurance, NAIC average premium for Kansas.
  • Electricity price, EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A.
  • Mortgage rate, Freddie Mac PMMS, refreshed weekly.
  • Maintenance (1%/yr) and water and sewer ($68/mo) are national estimates. Every assumption above is editable.

Full methodology