City Report · KS

Manhattan

Pop. 54,239·16th most expensive in Kansas·Manhattan rents are up 25.9% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,332/mo
Year-over-Year
+25.9%
Month-over-Month
+3.0%
vs US Median
-$630
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Manhattan · $1,332
More affordable than 86% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
1/100
Overheated
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 25% above what Manhattan's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$1,332/mo
Expected by trend
$1,069/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Manhattan's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$870
1 BR
$875
2 BR
$1,070
3 BR
$1,460
4 BR+
$1,800
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,070/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,332 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
$15,984/yr
At $1,332/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 25.9% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+25.9% YoY, +3.0% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Manhattan, KS is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 53.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
54,239
Median income
$60,172
Median age
25.7
Renters
56.5%
Age distribution
14.6%
49.4%
18.5%
Under 1814.6%
18–3449.4%
35–5418.5%
55–647.6%
65+9.9%
Gender
52%
48%
Male52%
Female48%
Race & ethnicity
77.9%
White77.9%
Black5.2%
Hispanic8.4%
Asian4.7%
Other3.8%
Education (25+)
14.3%
29%
53.3%
No HS diploma3.4%
HS diploma14.3%
Some college29%
Bachelor's+53.3%
Housing tenure
43.5%
56.5%
Owner43.5%
Renter56.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Manhattan, KS has changed in 5 years

Rent
$896 → $1,332
up 48.7%
Income
$52,747 → $60,172
up 14.1%
Population
54,794 → 54,239
down 1.0%
Renter share
58.3% → 56.5%
-1.8 pts
Bachelor's+
52.8% → 53.3%
+0.5 pts
Median age
25 → 25.7
+0.7 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in Manhattan, KS has climbed from $896 to $1,332, a 48.7% change over five years. On the earnings side, the typical household in Manhattan, KS now reports about $60,172, up from $52,747 in 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 1.0% since 2021, moving from about 54,794 residents to roughly 54,239. Renters now make up 56.5% of households, compared with 58.3% five years ago. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Manhattan, KS reflects that arc in its own way.

Community

Discussions about Manhattan

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

Can you afford rent in Manhattan on your salary?

At $1,332/mo, how Manhattan rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Manhattan rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Manhattan

About renting in Manhattan, KS

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Manhattan is $1,332/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $870/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,070/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $875/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,460/mo.

At 27% of local median household income ($60,172/yr), Manhattan ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 25.9% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Manhattan an affordable city for renters?

Manhattan is considered affordable for renters. At $1,332/mo, rent takes approximately 27% of the local median household income ($60,172/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Manhattan falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Manhattan?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $53,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,332/mo in Manhattan. The local median household income is $60,172/yr, meaning the typical Manhattan household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Manhattan?

Rent in Manhattan has increased 25.9% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Manhattan neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Manhattan are 66502 ($1,212/mo), and 66503 ($1,614/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Manhattan is $1,332/mo.

How does Manhattan rent compare to other cities in Kansas?

Manhattan is middle-of-the-pack for Kansas for rent, ranking #16 out of 26 tracked cities at $1,332/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Manhattan?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Manhattan ($1,332/mo): Emporia ($890/mo), Salina ($966/mo), Newton ($1,084/mo).

What percentage of Manhattan residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 56.5% of Manhattan households are renters, while 43.5% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Manhattan has a strong rental market.

How does Manhattan rent compare to the national average?

Manhattan's median rent of $1,332/mo is $630 (32%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Kansas, it ranks #16 out of 26 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
27%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,332/mo, rent takes ~27% of Manhattan's median household income ($60,172/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Manhattan 27%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.1–5.7%
Run the Manhattan affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Manhattan
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Manhattan, KS

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