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City Report · KS

Emporia

Pop. 24,131·24th most expensive in Kansas·Emporia rents are up 20.6% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$890/mo
Year-over-Year
+20.6%
Month-over-Month
+3.5%
vs US Median
-$1,072
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Emporia · $890
More affordable than 99% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
20% of income
VERY AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $890/mo, rent takes about 20% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$36,000/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
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$870/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $890 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$10,680/yr
At $890/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 20.6% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+20.6% YoY, +3.5% MoM), not inventory.
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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

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View Emporia rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Emporia on your salary?

At $890/mo, how Emporia rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

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: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Emporia is $890/mo as of August 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 20.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Emporia an affordable city for renters?

Emporia is considered very affordable for renters. At $890/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 $36,000/year (~$17/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $890/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 20.6% over the past year as of August 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 26 tracked cities at $890/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.

How does Emporia rent compare to the national average?

Emporia's median rent of $890/mo is $1,072 (55%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Kansas, it ranks #24 out of 26 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
20%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $890/mo, rent takes ~20% of Emporia's median household income ($52,704/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Emporia 20%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.1–5.7%
Run the Emporia affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Emporia, KS

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