Studio Apartment Rent in Lawrence, KS
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Lawrence, Kansas as of August 2026. That's +35% lower than the citywide median of $1,365 and +31% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio in Lawrence
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Lawrence
Compare Lawrence's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Kansas
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emporia | $600 |
| 2 | Great Bend | $640 |
| 3 | Newton | $640 |
| 4 | Hutchinson | $680 |
| 5 | Pittsburg | $690 |
| 6 | Wichita | $742 |
| 7 | Junction City | $750 |
| 8 | Salina | $750 |
| 9 | Derby | $780 |
| 10 | Topeka | $828 |
| 11 | Manhattan | $870 |
| 12 | Leavenworth | $890 |
| 13 | Lawrence (this page) | $893 |
| 14 | Goddard | $930 |
| 15 | Spring Hill | $1,010 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Kansas
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prairie Village | $1,550 |
| 2 | Leawood | $1,397 |
| 3 | Lenexa | $1,373 |
| 4 | Overland Park | $1,339 |
| 5 | Gardner | $1,180 |
| 6 | Shawnee | $1,113 |
| 7 | Olathe | $1,090 |
| 8 | Mission | $1,050 |
| 9 | Kansas City | $1,033 |
| 10 | Spring Hill | $1,010 |
| 11 | Goddard | $930 |
| 12 | Lawrence (this page) | $893 |
| 13 | Leavenworth | $890 |
| 14 | Manhattan | $870 |
| 15 | Topeka | $828 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 2 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Lawrence.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Lawrence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gardner, KS | 26.9 mi | $1,180 | +$287 (+32%) |
| Topeka, KS | 29.9 mi | $828 | $-65 (-7%) |
| Leavenworth, KS | 30.3 mi | $890 | $-3 (0%) |
| Olathe, KS | 33.2 mi | $1,090 | +$197 (+22%) |
| Lenexa, KS | 34.6 mi | $1,373 | +$480 (+54%) |
| Spring Hill, KS | 36.2 mi | $1,010 | +$117 (+13%) |
| Shawnee, KS | 36.8 mi | $1,113 | +$220 (+25%) |
| Kansas City, KS | 41.5 mi | $1,033 | +$140 (+16%) |
| Overland Park, KS | 42.3 mi | $1,339 | +$446 (+50%) |
| Parkville, MO | 43.4 mi | $1,110 | +$217 (+24%) |
| Mission, KS | 43.7 mi | $1,050 | +$157 (+18%) |
| Leawood, KS | 46.2 mi | $1,397 | +$504 (+56%) |
Studio rent in Lawrence — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Lawrence?
As of August 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Lawrence, Kansas is $893 per month. This is +35% below the citywide median of $1,365.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Lawrence?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $35,720 ($2,977/month gross), which works out to roughly $17.17/hour at a full-time job.
Is Lawrence expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Lawrence's studio median of $893 is +31% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 19th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Lawrence rank for studio rent in Kansas?
Among the 24 cities in Kansas with studio data, Lawrence ranks #13 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Lawrence?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Topeka ($828), Leavenworth ($890).