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

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Lawrence, KS is $1,288. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Lawrence cheaper than other Kansas cities?

Lawrence falls in the middle range for Kansas, ranking #16 out of 25 cities at $1,288/mo.

When was Lawrence rent data last updated?

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

Is Lawrence a renter's market or a landlord's market?

Based on RentDataNow's Rent Market Meter, Lawrence is currently a renter's market. Rents are softening (down 5.4% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage. The meter is derived from rent-price momentum (year-over-year and month-over-month change), not inventory levels.

City Report · KS

Lawrence

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

Pop. 96,051·16th most expensive in Kansas·Lawrence rents have dropped 5.4%, currently a renter's market

Median rent (all units)

$1,288/mo

Year-over-Year

-5.4%

Month-over-Month

+0.2%

vs US Median

-$677

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Lawrence · $1,288

More affordable than 88% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

54/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Lawrence's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent

$1,288/mo

Expected by trend

$1,312/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Lawrence's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$893

1 BR

$1,007

2 BR

$1,183

3 BR

$1,630

4 BR+

$1,953

Research median

$1,183/mo

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

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$15,456/yr

At $1,288/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are softening (down 5.4% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.

Based on rent-price momentum (-5.4% YoY, +0.2% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Lawrence, KS is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 55.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

96,051

Median income

$65,009

Median age

29.3

Renters

56.4%

Age distribution

16.3%

41.6%

21.6%

12.7%

Under 1816.3%

18–3441.6%

35–5421.6%

55–647.8%

65+12.7%

Gender

48.8%

51.2%

Male48.8%

Female51.2%

Race & ethnicity

75.2%

White75.2%

Black5%

Hispanic7.9%

Asian5.1%

Other6.7%

Education (25+)

16.1%

23.7%

55.8%

No HS diploma4.4%

HS diploma16.1%

Some college23.7%

Bachelor's+55.8%

Housing tenure

43.6%

56.4%

Owner43.6%

Renter56.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Lawrence, KS has changed in 5 years

Rent

$981 → $1,288

up 31.3%

Income

$56,536 → $65,009

up 15.0%

Population

94,745 → 96,051

up 1.4%

Renter share

56.5% → 56.4%

-0.1 pts

Bachelor's+

55.8% → 55.8%

+0.0 pts

Median age

28.6 → 29.3

+0.7 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Lawrence, KS has shifted from $981 to $1,288, up 31.3% since 2021. Census figures show median household income at $65,009 today, compared with $56,536 five years earlier. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Lawrence, KS adding about 1,306 residents over the five-year window, up 1.4% on net. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

Discussions about Lawrence

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

View Lawrence rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Lawrence on your salary?

At $1,288/mo, how Lawrence rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $85,032/yr · Rent = 18.2% income

very comfortable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $60,372/yr · Rent = 25.6% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $69,543/yr · Rent = 22.2% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $124,299/yr · Rent = 12.4% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $158,823/yr · Rent = 9.7% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $56,529/yr · Rent = 27.3% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $51,039/yr · Rent = 30.3% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $62,910/yr · Rent = 24.6% income

affordable

By apartment size

Lawrence rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Lawrence

About renting in Lawrence, KS

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Lawrence is $1,288/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $893/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,183/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,007/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,630/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($65,009/yr), Lawrence ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 5.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Lawrence an affordable city for renters?

Lawrence is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,288/mo, rent takes approximately 24% of the local median household income ($65,009/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Lawrence falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Lawrence?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $52,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,288/mo in Lawrence. The local median household income is $65,009/yr, meaning the typical Lawrence household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Lawrence?

Rent in Lawrence has decreased 5.4% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which Lawrence neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Lawrence are 66044 ($1,119/mo), 66047 ($1,490/mo), and 66049 ($1,678/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Lawrence is $1,288/mo.

How does Lawrence rent compare to other cities in Kansas?

Lawrence is middle-of-the-pack for Kansas for rent, ranking #16 out of 25 tracked cities at $1,288/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Lawrence?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Lawrence ($1,288/mo): Leavenworth ($1,269/mo), Topeka ($1,283/mo).

What percentage of Lawrence residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 56.4% of Lawrence households are renters, while 43.6% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Lawrence has a strong rental market.

How does Lawrence rent compare to the national average?

Lawrence's median rent of $1,288/mo is $677 (34%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Kansas, it ranks #16 out of 25 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

24%

VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,288/mo, rent takes ~24% of Lawrence's median household income ($65,009/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Lawrence 24%Benchmark 30%

State income tax3.1–5.7%

Run the Lawrence affordability calculator →

Nearby cities