RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · KS

Salina

Pop. 46,307·22nd most expensive in Kansas·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,026/mo
Year-over-Year
+1.5%
Month-over-Month
-3.8%
vs US Median
-$939
Falling (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Salina rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Salina · $1,026
More affordable than 97% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
58/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 4% below what Salina's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,026/mo
Expected by trend
$1,067/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Salina's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$750
1 BR
$760
2 BR
$990
3 BR
$1,190
4 BR+
$1,310
Research median
$990/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
$12,312/yr
At $1,026/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (up only 1.5% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (+1.5% YoY, -3.8% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

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.

Population
46,307
Median income
$61,783
Median age
39.3
Renters
35.9%
Age distribution
22.2%
22.3%
23.6%
13.4%
18.5%
Under 1822.2%
18–3422.3%
35–5423.6%
55–6413.4%
65+18.5%
Gender
49.7%
50.3%
Male49.7%
Female50.3%
Race & ethnicity
81%
13.8%
White81%
Black4.1%
Hispanic13.8%
Asian1.9%
Education (25+)
30.9%
33.5%
28.7%
No HS diploma6.9%
HS diploma30.9%
Some college33.5%
Bachelor's+28.7%
Housing tenure
64.1%
35.9%
Owner64.1%
Renter35.9%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Salina, KS has changed in 5 years

Income
$52,702 → $61,783
up 17.2%
Population
46,896 → 46,307
down 1.3%
Renter share
36.7% → 35.9%
-0.8 pts
Bachelor's+
27.8% → 28.7%
+0.9 pts
Median age
38.6 → 39.3
+0.7 yrs

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.

Community

Discussions about Salina

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

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

Can you afford rent in Salina on your salary?

At $1,026/mo, how Salina rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Salina rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Salina

About renting in Salina, KS

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Salina is $1,026/mo as of July 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 20% of local median household income ($61,783/yr), Salina ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Salina an affordable city for renters?

Salina is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,026/mo, rent takes approximately 20% of the local median household income ($61,783/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Salina falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Salina?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $41,000/year (~$20/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,026/mo in Salina. The local median household income is $61,783/yr, meaning the typical Salina household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Salina?

Rent in Salina has increased 1.5% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Salina rent compare to other cities in Kansas?

Salina is one of the more affordable cities in Kansas for rent, ranking #22 out of 25 tracked cities at $1,026/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Salina?

Hutchinson is nearby and more affordable at $848/mo, which is $178 less than Salina.

What percentage of Salina residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 35.9% of Salina households are renters, while 64.1% are owner-occupied. Salina leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Salina rent compare to the national average?

Salina's median rent of $1,026/mo is $939 (48%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Kansas, it ranks #22 out of 25 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
20%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,026/mo, rent takes ~20% of Salina's median household income ($61,783/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Salina 20%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.1–5.7%
Run the Salina affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Salina
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Salina, KS

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Salina.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.