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City Report · KS

Gardner

Pop. 24,526·12th most expensive in Kansas·Rental market data updated monthly for Gardner, KS
Median rent (all units)
$1,569/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-2.2%
vs US Median
-$396
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Gardner · $1,569
More affordable than 71% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
63/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 7% below what Gardner's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,569/mo
Expected by trend
$1,677/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Gardner's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,180
1 BR
$1,300
2 BR
$1,480
3 BR
$1,930
4 BR+
$2,280
Research median
$1,480/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
$18,828/yr
At $1,569/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (down 0.1% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (-0.1% YoY, -2.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Gardner, KS is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 32% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
24,526
Median income
$96,818
Median age
30.7
Renters
32.4%
Age distribution
31.4%
25.1%
25.6%
Under 1831.4%
18–3425.1%
35–5425.6%
55–649.6%
65+8.4%
Gender
50.5%
49.5%
Male50.5%
Female49.5%
Race & ethnicity
76.1%
13.8%
White76.1%
Black6.6%
Hispanic13.8%
Asian0.9%
Other2.5%
Education (25+)
28.2%
35.4%
32%
No HS diploma4.4%
HS diploma28.2%
Some college35.4%
Bachelor's+32%
Housing tenure
67.6%
32.4%
Owner67.6%
Renter32.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Gardner, KS has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,196 → $1,569
up 31.2%
Income
$83,284 → $96,818
up 16.3%
Population
23,065 → 24,526
up 6.3%
Renter share
33.4% → 32.4%
-1.0 pts
Bachelor's+
31.5% → 32%
+0.5 pts
Median age
31.7 → 30.7
-1.0 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Gardner, KS has shifted from $1,196 to $1,569, up 31.2% since 2021. Household income in the area moved from $83,284 to $96,818 across the same window, up 16.3% versus 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Gardner, KS adding about 1,461 residents over the five-year window, up 6.3% on net. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Gardner, KS look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Gardner

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

Can you afford rent in Gardner on your salary?

At $1,569/mo, how Gardner rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Gardner rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Gardner

About renting in Gardner, KS

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Gardner is $1,569/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,180/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,480/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,300/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,930/mo.

At 19% of local median household income ($96,818/yr), Gardner ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 0.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Gardner an affordable city for renters?

Gardner is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,569/mo, rent takes approximately 19% of the local median household income ($96,818/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Gardner falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Gardner?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $63,000/year (~$30/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,569/mo in Gardner. The local median household income is $96,818/yr, meaning the typical Gardner household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Gardner?

Rent in Gardner has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.1% change year over year as of July 2026.

How does Gardner rent compare to other cities in Kansas?

Gardner is middle-of-the-pack for Kansas for rent, ranking #12 out of 25 tracked cities at $1,569/mo.

What percentage of Gardner residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 32.4% of Gardner households are renters, while 67.6% are owner-occupied. Gardner leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Gardner rent compare to the national average?

Gardner's median rent of $1,569/mo is $396 (20%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Kansas, it ranks #12 out of 25 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
19%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,569/mo, rent takes ~19% of Gardner's median household income ($96,818/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Gardner 19%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.1–5.7%
Run the Gardner affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Gardner
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Gardner, KS

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