How much does it cost to rent in Kenai, AK?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Kenai, AK is $1,693. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Kenai cheaper than other Alaska cities?

Kenai is among the more affordable cities in Alaska, ranking #6 out of 6 cities at $1,693/mo.

When was Kenai rent data last updated?

Kenai rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · AK

Kenai

Name: Average Rent Prices in Kenai, AK
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 7,641·6th most expensive in Alaska·Rental market data updated monthly for Kenai, AK

Median rent (all units)

$1,693/mo

Year-over-Year

Stable

Month-over-Month

-4.5%

vs US Median

-$272

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Kenai · $1,693

More affordable than 62% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Affordability

23% of income

VERY AFFORDABLE

0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,693/mo, rent takes about 23% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford

$68,000/yr

Local median income

$87,083/yr

Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Kenai's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$900

1 BR

$910

2 BR

$1,190

3 BR

$1,670

4 BR+

$2,000

Research median

$1,190/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$20,316/yr

At $1,693/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -4.5% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Kenai, AK is majority owner-occupied, 28.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

7,641

Median income

$87,083

Median age

34.4

Renters

29.7%

Age distribution

24.6%

26.9%

25.8%

12.5%

Under 1824.6%

18–3426.9%

35–5425.8%

55–6410.2%

65+12.5%

Gender

50.9%

49.1%

Male50.9%

Female49.1%

Race & ethnicity

71.9%

16.1%

White71.9%

Black0.9%

Hispanic7.8%

Asian3.4%

Other16.1%

Education (25+)

40.8%

27.2%

28.1%

No HS diploma3.9%

HS diploma40.8%

Some college27.2%

Bachelor's+28.1%

Housing tenure

70.3%

29.7%

Owner70.3%

Renter29.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Kenai, AK has changed in 5 years

Income

$70,732 → $87,083

up 23.1%

Population

7,452 → 7,641

up 2.5%

Renter share

36% → 29.7%

-6.3 pts

Bachelor's+

19.3% → 28.1%

+8.8 pts

Median age

35.3 → 34.4

-0.9 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $87,083 today, compared with $70,732 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 7,452 to 7,641 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.5% change. About 29.7% of households rent today, against 36% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 19.3% to 28.1%.

Community

Discussions about Kenai

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View Kenai rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Kenai on your salary?

At $1,693/mo, how Kenai rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $105,818/yr · Rent = 19.2% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $75,130/yr · Rent = 27% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $86,542/yr · Rent = 23.5% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $154,683/yr · Rent = 13.1% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $197,646/yr · Rent = 10.3% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $70,347/yr · Rent = 28.9% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $63,515/yr · Rent = 32% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $78,288/yr · Rent = 26% income

affordable

By apartment size

Kenai rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Kenai. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Kenai

About renting in Kenai, AK

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Kenai is $1,693/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $900/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,190/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $910/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,670/mo.

At 23% of local median household income ($87,083/yr), Kenai ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Kenai an affordable city for renters?

Kenai is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,693/mo, rent takes approximately 23% of the local median household income ($87,083/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Kenai falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Kenai?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $68,000/year (~$33/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,693/mo in Kenai. The local median household income is $87,083/yr, meaning the typical Kenai household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Kenai?

Rent in Kenai has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Kenai rent compare to other cities in Alaska?

Kenai is one of the more affordable cities in Alaska for rent, ranking #6 out of 6 tracked cities at $1,693/mo.

What percentage of Kenai residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 29.7% of Kenai households are renters, while 70.3% are owner-occupied. Kenai leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.