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

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Shawnee, KS is $1,796. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Shawnee cheaper than other Kansas cities?

Shawnee is one of the pricier cities in Kansas, ranking #7 out of 25 cities tracked at $1,796/mo.

When was Shawnee rent data last updated?

Shawnee 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

Shawnee

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

Pop. 68,542·7th most expensive in Kansas·Shawnee rents are up 9.5% over the past year

Median rent (all units)

$1,796/mo

Year-over-Year

+9.5%

Month-over-Month

-11.7%

vs US Median

-$169

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Shawnee · $1,796

More affordable than 54% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

69/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 9% below what Shawnee's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,796/mo

Expected by trend

$1,982/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Shawnee's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,113

1 BR

$1,220

2 BR

$1,390

3 BR

$1,813

4 BR+

$2,147

Research median

$1,390/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

$21,552/yr

At $1,796/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are down 9.5% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+9.5% YoY, -11.7% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Shawnee, KS is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 53.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

68,542

Median income

$109,940

Median age

Renters

26.3%

Age distribution

23.8%

20.8%

28.3%

15.2%

Under 1823.8%

18–3420.8%

35–5428.3%

55–6412%

65+15.2%

Gender

49.5%

50.5%

Male49.5%

Female50.5%

Race & ethnicity

79.4%

White79.4%

Black6.3%

Hispanic9.6%

Asian2.8%

Other1.9%

Education (25+)

14.9%

28.2%

53.1%

No HS diploma3.9%

HS diploma14.9%

Some college28.2%

Bachelor's+53.1%

Housing tenure

73.7%

26.3%

Owner73.7%

Renter26.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Shawnee, KS has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,310 → $1,796

up 37.1%

Income

$93,835 → $109,940

up 17.2%

Population

67,021 → 68,542

up 2.3%

Renter share

25.6% → 26.3%

+0.7 pts

Bachelor's+

51.1% → 53.1%

+2.0 pts

Median age

37.4 → 39

+1.6 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in Shawnee, KS has shifted from $1,310 to $1,796, up 37.1% since 2021. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $93,835 in 2021 to $109,940 more recently. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Shawnee, KS adding about 1,521 residents over the five-year window, up 2.3% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 51.1% to 53.1% across the same window. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Shawnee, KS market of 2021.

Community

Discussions about Shawnee

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View Shawnee rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Shawnee on your salary?

At $1,796/mo, how Shawnee rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $85,032/yr · Rent = 25.3% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $60,372/yr · Rent = 35.7% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $69,543/yr · Rent = 31% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $124,299/yr · Rent = 17.3% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $158,823/yr · Rent = 13.6% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $56,529/yr · Rent = 38.1% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $51,039/yr · Rent = 42.2% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $62,910/yr · Rent = 34.3% income

stretched

By apartment size

Shawnee rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Shawnee

About renting in Shawnee, KS

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Shawnee is $1,796/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,113/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,390/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,220/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,813/mo.

At 20% of local median household income ($109,940/yr), Shawnee ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 9.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Shawnee an affordable city for renters?

Shawnee is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,796/mo, rent takes approximately 20% of the local median household income ($109,940/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Shawnee falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Shawnee?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $72,000/year (~$35/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,796/mo in Shawnee. The local median household income is $109,940/yr, meaning the typical Shawnee household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Shawnee?

Rent in Shawnee has increased 9.5% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Shawnee neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Shawnee are 66216 ($1,898/mo), 66203 ($1,912/mo), and 66226 ($2,555/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Shawnee is $1,796/mo.

How does Shawnee rent compare to other cities in Kansas?

Shawnee is one of the pricier cities in Kansas for rent, ranking #7 out of 25 tracked cities at $1,796/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Shawnee?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Shawnee ($1,796/mo): Kansas City ($1,319/mo), Lenexa ($1,685/mo), Mission ($1,709/mo).

What percentage of Shawnee residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 26.3% of Shawnee households are renters, while 73.7% are owner-occupied. Shawnee leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.