Independence is a small town of 2,258 in Louisiana, with a median household income of $41,071
and a 16.5% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is
11% below the national average.
Strengths:
Independence stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include a higher-than-average crime index, longer commutes, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Independence is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Independence city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 89.3
Independence's overall cost of living index is 89.3,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Independence costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.
Metric
Independence, LA
National Avg
Median Home Value
$135,500
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$963
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
62.6%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$41,071
$74,755
Crime & Safety
High Crime
Independence's violent crime rate is 1571.0 per 100,000 residents
— 313% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
1571.0 /100k
Property Crime
5317.2 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Independence is served primarily by Tangipahoa Parish.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.1:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Independence, LA
National Avg
School District
Tangipahoa Parish
—
Elementary Schools
17
—
Middle Schools
7
—
High Schools
8
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
13.1:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
13.6%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
78.8%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Independence sees average highs of 61.1°F in January
and 90.9°F in July,
with 63.8 inches of annual precipitation
and 0.1 inches of snow per year.
Independence's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Independence roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $135,500 and median rent is $963/month.
Independence's violent crime rate is 1571.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 5317.2 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Independence are operated by Tangipahoa Parish.
The district has 17 elementary, 7 middle, and 8 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.1:1. 13.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Independence, LA has a population of 2,258, a median household income of $41,071, and an unemployment rate of 16.5%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Independence averages 61.1°F in January and 90.9°F in July. Annual rainfall is 63.8 inches
with about 0.1 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Independence, LA is covered by 1 ZIP code: 70443.
The population of Independence, Louisiana is 2,258 with a median age of 36.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Independence: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $135,500, median household income $41,071, crime index 349 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Independence side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
