City Comparison
Louisville vs Independence
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Independence scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Louisville
Independence
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Louisville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Independence.
Housing costs are a major driver: Louisville's average rent is
14% lower than Independence's.
| Metric | Louisville | Independence | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,450 | -14% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $130 | -15% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $240 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,145 | $2,415 | -11% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 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 Louisville is estimated at
$48,000 vs $52,000 in Independence.
| Metric | Louisville | Independence |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,391 idx | 70,833 idx |
| Household Income | $65,200 | $82,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Independence sees 5.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Louisville | Independence |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.80°F | 54.80°F |
| Summer High | 86.20°F | 83.60°F |
| Winter Low | 26.80°F | 23.40°F |
| Rainfall | 52.90 in | 48.10 in |
| Snowfall | 18.70 in | 23.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 238 | 238 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Louisville has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Independence.
Louisville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Louisville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Louisville | Independence |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 49.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 44.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Louisville is the larger city
— approximately 21.8x the population of Independence.
From a growth perspective, Independence is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Louisville | Independence |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 633,045 | 29,079 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.30% | 1.40% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 3.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Louisville
Advantages
Median home prices in Louisville remain roughly 15% below the national average per Redfin 2024 data.
World-class healthcare infrastructure anchored by major regional networks like Norton Healthcare.
Extensive public park system designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.
Thriving culinary and craft beverage culture recognized internationally for bourbon and dining.
Strategic geographic location serving as a major logistics and shipping hub with the UPS Worldport.
Drawbacks
Public transit options are limited primarily to bus routes, resulting in high car dependency outside the urban core.
Certain urban neighborhoods experience higher rates of property and violent crime per local police department data.
Property tax rates and homeowners insurance costs have seen upward pressure in recent years.
Summer humidity and seasonal allergy index rankings frequently challenge allergy sufferers.
State-level legislative dynamics can sometimes conflict with progressive municipal governance priorities.
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.
Louisville
#299Kentucky, USA
61.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
49.0/100
Sunny Days
238/yr
Avg Temp
57.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.30%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
76
Business
70
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Louisville and Independence.
Open Cost Calculator