City Comparison
Richmond vs Independence
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Independence scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Richmond
Independence
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Richmond is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
24% lower than in Independence.
Housing costs are a major driver: Richmond's average rent is
34% lower than Independence's.
| Metric | Richmond | Independence | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,450 | -34% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $170 | $175 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $130 | -15% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $240 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $1,830 | $2,415 | -24% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Independence offers 25% 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 Richmond is estimated at
$45,000 vs $52,000 in Independence.
| Metric | Richmond | Independence |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,955 idx | 70,833 idx |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $82,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.8°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Independence sees 4.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Richmond | Independence |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.60°F | 54.80°F |
| Summer High | 85.00°F | 83.60°F |
| Winter Low | 26.40°F | 23.40°F |
| Rainfall | 56.10 in | 48.10 in |
| Snowfall | 19.20 in | 23.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 234 | 238 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Richmond has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Independence.
Richmond scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Richmond leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Richmond | Independence |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 44.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Richmond is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Independence.
From a growth perspective, Richmond 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 | Richmond | Independence |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 36,452 | 29,079 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | 1.40% |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Richmond
Advantages
Median home prices in Richmond remain significantly below the national average per Zillow data.
Eastern Kentucky University provides a rich cultural, educational, and economic anchor for the city.
Proximity to outdoor recreation, including Lake Reba and Daniel Boone National Forest.
Lower-than-average cost of living spanning housing, utilities, and everyday goods.
Convenient access via Interstate 75 to larger metropolitan hubs like Lexington.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily commutes.
Average local salaries lag behind the national GDP per capita benchmarks.
Job market diversity can be somewhat constrained outside of education, healthcare, and manufacturing.
Humid subtropical summer conditions can bring uncomfortable humidity levels.
Local entertainment options are more limited compared to nearby Lexington.
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.
Richmond
#224Kentucky, USA
63.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$51,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
234/yr
Avg Temp
56.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
Business
67
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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