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

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Manhattan, KS is $1,293. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Manhattan cheaper than other Kansas cities?

Manhattan falls in the middle range for Kansas, ranking #15 out of 25 cities at $1,293/mo.

When was Manhattan rent data last updated?

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

City Report · KS

Manhattan

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

Pop. 54,239·15th most expensive in Kansas·Manhattan rents are up 22.7% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,293/mo

Year-over-Year

+22.7%

Month-over-Month

+3.3%

vs US Median

-$672

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Manhattan · $1,293

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

Rent Reality Score

8/100

Overheated

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 21% above what Manhattan's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent

$1,293/mo

Expected by trend

$1,066/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

Research median

$1,070/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

$15,516/yr

At $1,293/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 22.7% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+22.7% YoY, +3.3% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

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 → $1,293

up 44.3%

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 $1,293, a 44.3% 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 $1,293/mo, how Manhattan 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 = 25.7% income

affordable

Police Officer

Avg $69,543/yr · Rent = 22.3% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $124,299/yr · Rent = 12.5% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $158,823/yr · Rent = 9.8% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $56,529/yr · Rent = 27.4% income

affordable

Truck Driver

Avg $51,039/yr · Rent = 30.4% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $62,910/yr · Rent = 24.7% income

affordable

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: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Manhattan is $1,293/mo as of July 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 26% of local median household income ($60,172/yr), Manhattan ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 22.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Manhattan an affordable city for renters?

Manhattan is considered affordable for renters. At $1,293/mo, rent takes approximately 26% 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 $52,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,293/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 22.7% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Manhattan neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Manhattan are 66502 ($1,183/mo), and 66503 ($1,562/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Manhattan is $1,293/mo.

How does Manhattan rent compare to other cities in Kansas?

Manhattan is middle-of-the-pack for Kansas for rent, ranking #15 out of 25 tracked cities at $1,293/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Manhattan?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Manhattan ($1,293/mo): Emporia ($860/mo), Salina ($1,026/mo), Newton ($1,051/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 $1,293/mo is $672 (34%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Kansas, it ranks #15 out of 25 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

26%

AFFORDABLE

At $1,293/mo, rent takes ~26% of Manhattan's median household income ($60,172/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Manhattan 26%Benchmark 30%

State income tax3.1–5.7%

Run the Manhattan affordability calculator →

Nearby cities