How much does it cost to rent in Emporia, KS?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Emporia, KS is $860. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Emporia cheaper than other Kansas cities?

Emporia is among the more affordable cities in Kansas, ranking #24 out of 25 cities at $860/mo.

When was Emporia rent data last updated?

Emporia 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 · KS

Emporia

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

Pop. 24,131·24th most expensive in Kansas·Emporia rents are up 18.0% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$860/mo

Year-over-Year

+18.0%

Month-over-Month

-0.9%

vs US Median

-$1,105

Falling (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss Emporia rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

Emporia · $860

More affordable than 99% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Affordability

20% of income

VERY AFFORDABLE

0%30% benchmark60%+

At $860/mo, rent takes about 20% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford

$34,000/yr

Local median income

$52,704/yr

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

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$600

1 BR

$670

2 BR

$870

3 BR

$1,160

4 BR+

$1,370

Research median

$870/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

$10,320/yr

At $860/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 18.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+18.0% YoY, -0.9% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Emporia, KS is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 24.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

24,131

Median income

$52,704

Median age

30.2

Renters

50.1%

Age distribution

21.4%

34.3%

20.9%

14.1%

Under 1821.4%

18–3434.3%

35–5420.9%

55–649.3%

65+14.1%

Gender

48.4%

51.6%

Male48.4%

Female51.6%

Race & ethnicity

65.4%

30%

White65.4%

Black1.8%

Hispanic30%

Asian2.5%

Education (25+)

12.2%

35.7%

27.7%

24.4%

No HS diploma12.2%

HS diploma35.7%

Some college27.7%

Bachelor's+24.4%

Housing tenure

49.9%

50.1%

Owner49.9%

Renter50.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Emporia, KS has changed in 5 years

Income

$46,642 → $52,704

up 13.0%

Population

24,220 → 24,131

down 0.4%

Renter share

51.1% → 50.1%

-1.0 pts

Bachelor's+

26.2% → 24.4%

-1.8 pts

Median age

29 → 30.2

+1.2 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $52,704 today, compared with $46,642 five years earlier.

Community

Discussions about Emporia

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View Emporia rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Emporia on your salary?

At $860/mo, how Emporia rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $85,032/yr · Rent = 12.1% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $60,372/yr · Rent = 17.1% income

very comfortable

Police Officer

Avg $69,543/yr · Rent = 14.8% income

very comfortable

Software Developer

Avg $124,299/yr · Rent = 8.3% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $158,823/yr · Rent = 6.5% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $56,529/yr · Rent = 18.3% income

very comfortable

Truck Driver

Avg $51,039/yr · Rent = 20.2% income

affordable

Electrician

Avg $62,910/yr · Rent = 16.4% income

very comfortable

By apartment size

Emporia rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Emporia

About renting in Emporia, KS

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Emporia is $860/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $600/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $870/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $670/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,160/mo.

At 20% of local median household income ($52,704/yr), Emporia ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 18.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Emporia an affordable city for renters?

Emporia is considered very affordable for renters. At $860/mo, rent takes approximately 20% of the local median household income ($52,704/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Emporia falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Emporia?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $34,000/year (~$16/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $860/mo in Emporia. The local median household income is $52,704/yr, meaning the typical Emporia household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Emporia?

Rent in Emporia has increased 18.0% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Emporia rent compare to other cities in Kansas?

Emporia is one of the more affordable cities in Kansas for rent, ranking #24 out of 25 tracked cities at $860/mo.

What percentage of Emporia residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 50.1% of Emporia households are renters, while 49.9% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Emporia has a strong rental market.