Independence, KY vs Wake Forest, NC
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Independence
77
#288 nationally
Wake Forest
68.8
#1286 nationally
Independence leads in crime level (0.7 vs 4.0). Wake Forest leads in walk score (20 vs 11). Wake Forest leads in median household income ($115,159 vs $92,355).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Independence, KY | Wake Forest, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77 (#288) | 68.8 (#1286) |
| Population | 29,503 | 54,337 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $331,613 | $513,720 |
| Median Household Income | $92,355 | $115,159 |
| Average Commute | 27.4 min | 31.7 min |
| Walk Score | 11 | 20 |
| Crime Level | 0.7 | 4.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 96 | 116 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+21.7 | D+25.6 |
C+
77 Score
Independence, KY
Small Kentucky city with local appeal
Median Home
$331,613
Population
29,503
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
11
Southeast
View Independence, KY →
D+
68.8 Score
Wake Forest, NC
North Carolina community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$513,720
Population
54,337
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
20
Southeast
View Wake Forest, NC →
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