Cost to Own
United StatesKentuckyKenton CountyIndependence Population 29,024 Data vintage ACS 2023 5-Year Rates updated 2026-07-30

Total monthly cost of ownership

Cost to Own a Home in Independence, Kentucky

A $241,000 home here costs

$1,974

per month, all in — with 20% down at today's 6.66% 30-year fixed rate.

A standard mortgage calculator would have told you $1,239. The real number is $735 higher every month — 59% more than the payment most buyers budget for.

Independence median: $240,500
Under 20% adds PMI
Freddie Mac PMMS
US 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, $192,800 borrowed $1,239
Property tax1.022% effective rate for Independence itself $205
Homeowners insuranceKentucky averages $1,232/yr (NAIC), or 0.631% of home value $127
Electricity14.98¢/kWh — Kentucky residential average, EIA $135
Water, sewer & trashUS household average $68
Maintenance reserve1% of home value per year $201
Total monthly $1,974

Independence against Kenton County and Kentucky

MeasureIndependenceKenton County
Median home value$240,500$227,500
Median property tax$2,457$2,284
Effective tax rate1.022%1.004%
Median gross rent$1,204$1,018
Population29,024169,817

The weather behind that power bill

Independence sits in Kenton County, which averages a high of 86.0°F in its hottest month and a low of 23.1°F in its coldest, with 45.26" of precipitation a year and 31% of it in a single three-month stretch. That climate drives 1,160 cooling and 4,892 heating degree days, which is what sets the $135 electricity line above.

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

Other cities in Kenton County

Full Kenton County cost breakdown · Every county in Kentucky

Common questions

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

A $241,000 home in Independence, Kentucky costs approximately $1,974 per month with 20% down at 6.66%. That is $1,239 principal and interest, $205 property tax, $127 homeowners insurance, $203 utilities and $201 set aside for maintenance.

What is the property tax rate in Independence?

Independence has an effective property tax rate of 1.022%, based on a median home value of $240,500 and median real estate taxes of $2,457. That is higher than the Kenton County average of 1.004%.

What is the average home price in Independence?

The median owner-occupied home value in Independence, Kentucky is $240,500, against $227,500 across Kenton County.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Independence?

Median gross rent in Independence is $1,204 a month, against $1,974 to own the median home all in. Renting costs less month to month here, though renting builds no equity.

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 Kentucky.
  • 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