The minimum wage in Independence is $12.30/hour in 2026. See how it compares to the MIT living wage of $18.50/hour and local cost of living.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Calculate annual, monthly, and weekly income at any hourly wage in Independence.
The minimum wage in Independence is the Missouri statewide minimum of $12.30/hour. Independence does not set a separate city minimum wage, so the Missouri statewide minimum of $12.30/hour applies; Missouri adjusts the rate for inflation each January. The bigger question for most workers is how that compares to what it actually costs to live in Independence. With average 1-bedroom rent near $950/month and a cost-of-living index of 84 (US average = 100), the gap between the minimum wage and a true living wage is significant.
| Benchmark (Independence, 2026) | Hourly | Annual (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable minimum wage | $12.30 | $25,584 |
| MIT living wage (single adult) | $18.50 | $38,480 |
| MIT living wage (family of four, one earner) | $38.00 | $79,040 |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Average rent (1-bedroom, annual) | - | $11,400 |
Living wage figures: MIT Living Wage Calculator for Jackson County. Minimum wage reflects the rate applicable to most private employers in Independence.
Independence is a major suburb on the eastern edge of the Kansas City metro, rich in American history as the home of President Harry Truman and a starting point of the Oregon and Santa Fe trails, with an economy in healthcare, retail, and manufacturing.
| Local Metric | Independence (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 120,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Jackson County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 84 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $18.50/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $38.00/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $12.30/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $950/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,150/month |
| Median home price | $220,000 |
| Median household income | $58,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 8.85% |
| Effective property tax rate | 1.1% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The minimum wage in Independence is the Missouri statewide minimum of $12.30/hour. Independence does not set a separate city minimum wage, so the Missouri statewide minimum of $12.30/hour applies; Missouri adjusts the rate for inflation each January. A full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks) earns about $25,584 per year gross before taxes at that rate.
Not for a single adult. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult in Jackson County needs about $18.50/hour (roughly $38,480/year) to cover basic costs. That is $6.20/hour above the applicable minimum wage, and a one-earner family of four needs closer to $38.00/hour.
At $12.30/hour, full-time work (2,080 hours/year) produces about $25,584 gross. Part-time at 30 hours/week is roughly $19,188/year. Average 1-bedroom rent in Independence is about $950/month, or $11,400/year.
Independence does not set a separate city minimum wage, so the Missouri statewide minimum of $12.30/hour applies; Missouri adjusts the rate for inflation each January.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour and has not changed since 2009. Missouri sets a state minimum wage above the federal floor and adjusts it for inflation, so the state rate of $12.30/hour applies in Independence.