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City Report · KS

Junction City

Pop. 22,331·18th most expensive in Kansas·Junction City rents are up 6.1% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,265/mo
Year-over-Year
+6.1%
Month-over-Month
+0.3%
vs US Median
-$697
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Junction City · $1,265
More affordable than 90% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
28/100
Overpriced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 11% above what Junction City's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$1,265/mo
Expected by trend
$1,141/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Junction City's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$750
1 BR
$750
2 BR
$990
3 BR
$1,390
4 BR+
$1,660
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$990/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,265 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
$15,180/yr
At $1,265/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 6.1% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+6.1% YoY, +0.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Junction City, KS is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 25.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
22,331
Median income
$61,181
Median age
28.8
Renters
49.6%
Age distribution
29.5%
31.7%
22.2%
Under 1829.5%
18–3431.7%
35–5422.2%
55–646.8%
65+9.7%
Gender
51.8%
48.2%
Male51.8%
Female48.2%
Race & ethnicity
57.1%
16.3%
17.2%
White57.1%
Black16.3%
Hispanic17.2%
Asian2.8%
Other6.6%
Education (25+)
25.5%
40.4%
25.6%
No HS diploma8.5%
HS diploma25.5%
Some college40.4%
Bachelor's+25.6%
Housing tenure
50.4%
49.6%
Owner50.4%
Renter49.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Junction City, KS has changed in 5 years

Rent
$887 → $1,265
up 42.6%
Income
$56,410 → $61,181
up 8.5%
Population
23,033 → 22,331
down 3.0%
Renter share
50.5% → 49.6%
-0.9 pts
Bachelor's+
22.4% → 25.6%
+3.2 pts

The median rent in Junction City, KS stood at $887 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,265, reflecting a 42.6% increase over the period. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $56,410 in 2021 to $61,181 more recently. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 3.0% since 2021, moving from about 23,033 residents to roughly 22,331. College-educated residents now make up 25.6% of adults here, versus 22.4% in 2021. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Junction City, KS market of 2021.

Community

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View Junction City rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Junction City on your salary?

At $1,265/mo, how Junction City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Junction City rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Junction City

About renting in Junction City, KS

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Junction City is $1,265/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $750/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $990/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $750/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,390/mo.

At 25% of local median household income ($61,181/yr), Junction City ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 6.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Junction City an affordable city for renters?

Junction City is considered affordable for renters. At $1,265/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($61,181/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Junction City falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Junction City?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $51,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,265/mo in Junction City. The local median household income is $61,181/yr, meaning the typical Junction City household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Junction City?

Rent in Junction City has increased 6.1% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Junction City rent compare to other cities in Kansas?

Junction City is one of the more affordable cities in Kansas for rent, ranking #18 out of 26 tracked cities at $1,265/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Junction City?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Junction City ($1,265/mo): Emporia ($890/mo), Salina ($966/mo), Newton ($1,084/mo).

What percentage of Junction City residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 49.6% of Junction City households are renters, while 50.4% are owner-occupied. Junction City leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Junction City rent compare to the national average?

Junction City's median rent of $1,265/mo is $697 (36%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Kansas, it ranks #18 out of 26 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,265/mo, rent takes ~25% of Junction City's median household income ($61,181/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Junction City 25%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.1–5.7%
Run the Junction City affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

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Schools nearby

Public schools near Junction City, KS

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