City Comparison
Lexington vs Independence
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Independence scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lexington
Independence
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Independence is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Lexington.
| Metric | Lexington | Independence | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,552 | $1,450 | +7% |
| Groceries | $400 | $420 | -5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $175 | +3% |
| Transport | $120 | $130 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $240 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,482 | $2,415 | +3% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Independence offers 9% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Independence delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lexington is estimated at
$52,000 vs $52,000 in Independence.
| Metric | Lexington | Independence |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,200 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,882 idx | 70,833 idx |
| Household Income | $69,479 | $82,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.4°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Independence sees 2.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lexington | Independence |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.20°F | 54.80°F |
| Summer High | 84.70°F | 83.60°F |
| Winter Low | 26.00°F | 23.40°F |
| Rainfall | 54.20 in | 48.10 in |
| Snowfall | 21.00 in | 23.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 236 | 238 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Lexington has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Independence.
Lexington scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lexington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lexington | Independence |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 44.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lexington is the larger city
— approximately 11.3x the population of Independence.
From a growth perspective, Independence is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Independence has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lexington | Independence |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 329,751 | 29,079 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.34% | 1.40% |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 3.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lexington
Advantages
Cost of living runs approximately 7% below the national average per regional economic reports.
Over 51% of residents over 25 hold a bachelor's degree or higher, reflecting an exceptionally educated workforce.
Short average commute times of roughly 20 minutes facilitate convenient daily travel.
Thriving cultural and recreational amenities include the historic Keeneland Race Course and extensive park systems.
Major regional medical hub anchored by world-class facilities like UK HealthCare.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options are limited outside of core urban and campus routes, increasing reliance on personal vehicles.
Increasing housing demand has driven steady rental and real estate price appreciation over recent years.
Local manufacturing employment sectors have experienced minor year-over-year contractions.
Poverty rates hover near 14.9%, indicating economic disparities within certain urban pockets.
summers can feature high humidity levels typical of the broader Kentucky climate region.
Independence
Advantages
Violent and property crime rates are significantly lower than the national average per FBI crime data.
Median home prices offer better square footage value compared to downtown Cincinnati and nearby major hubs.
Access to well-maintained local parks and recreation spaces, including Memorial Park.
Consistent and strong community safety profile ideal for raising families and retirees.
Proximity to the Greater Cincinnati job market while maintaining a quiet suburban atmosphere.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with limited public transportation options within city limits.
Limited local nightlife and high-end dining options directly inside the city.
Commuting during peak rush hours along major corridors like US-17 can experience delays.
Inventory for rental apartments can be competitive due to high demand for single-family homes.
Local commercial development is still expanding, requiring travel outside the city for major retail shopping.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Lexington
#318Kentucky, USA
60.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,552
Avg Salary
$62,200
Cost Index
93
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
236/yr
Avg Temp
56.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.34%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
77
Business
71
Independence
#45Kentucky, USA
70.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
238/yr
Avg Temp
54.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
80
Business
68
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