Independence, KY vs St. Matthews, KY

Independence is moderately more affordable than St. Matthews, with a 8.3% lower cost of living index. Independence scores 89 compared to 97 for St. Matthews, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of St. Matthews can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Independence is $1,204/month compared to $1,253/month in St. Matthews — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Independence is more affordable at $240,500 median vs $325,700.

Median household income in Independence is $98,653 compared to $80,716 in St. Matthews (+22.2%). Independence offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Independence spend roughly 14.6% of their income on rent, less than the 18.6% in St. Matthews.