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City Report · KS

Salina

Pop. 46,307·22nd most expensive in Kansas·Salina rents have dropped 5.5%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$966/mo
Year-over-Year
-5.5%
Month-over-Month
-5.8%
vs US Median
-$996
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Salina · $966
More affordable than 98% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
70/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

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

Actual rent
$966/mo
Expected by trend
$1,075/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
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$990/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $966 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
$11,592/yr
At $966/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 5.5% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-5.5% YoY, -5.8% MoM), not inventory.
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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

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

Can you afford rent in Salina on your salary?

At $966/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: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Salina is $966/mo as of August 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 19% of local median household income ($61,783/yr), Salina ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 5.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Salina an affordable city for renters?

Salina is considered very affordable for renters. At $966/mo, rent takes approximately 19% 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 $39,000/year (~$19/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $966/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 decreased 5.5% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

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 26 tracked cities at $966/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Salina?

Hutchinson is nearby and more affordable at $834/mo, which is $132 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 $966/mo is $996 (51%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Kansas, it ranks #22 out of 26 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
19%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $966/mo, rent takes ~19% of Salina's median household income ($61,783/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Salina 19%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.1–5.7%
Run the Salina affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Salina, KS

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