Rents are right about where Salina's 10-year trend predicts.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,066 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
Rent in Salina is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in May 2023.
Rent in Salina changed +5.0% over the year to September 2026. Across the 21 Kansas cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.2%.
Rent has risen 4 months in a row, and rose in 10 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($61,783) is $1,545 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($1,310).
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Salina. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Salina, KS is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 28.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Salina, KS has changed in 5 years
Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $52,702 in 2021 to $61,783 more recently. Census counts show Salina, KS losing about 589 residents over the five-year window, down 1.3% on net.
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Can you afford rent in Salina on your salary?
At $1,066/mo, how Salina rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Salina rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Salina. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Salina
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Salina is $1,066/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $750/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $990/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $760/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,190/mo.
At 21% of local median household income ($61,783/yr), Salina ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 5.0% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Salina?
Is rent going up or down in Salina?
How does Salina rent compare to other cities in Kansas?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Salina?
At $1,066/mo, rent takes ~21% of Salina's median household income ($61,783/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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