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City Report · KS

Wichita

Pop. 397,945·20th most expensive in Kansas·One of the most affordable rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$1,146/mo
Year-over-Year
+4.6%
Month-over-Month
+0.3%
vs US Median
-$819
Stable (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Wichita · $1,146
More affordable than 94% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
43/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 4% above what Wichita's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$1,146/mo
Expected by trend
$1,106/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Wichita's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$742
1 BR
$820
2 BR
$1,074
3 BR
$1,408
4 BR+
$1,721
Research median
$1,074/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$13,752/yr
At $1,146/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (4.6% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+4.6% YoY, +0.3% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Wichita, KS is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 31.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
397,945
Median income
$64,620
Median age
35.7
Renters
41.1%
Age distribution
24.1%
24.8%
23.8%
15.7%
Under 1824.1%
18–3424.8%
35–5423.8%
55–6411.5%
65+15.7%
Gender
49.7%
50.3%
Male49.7%
Female50.3%
Race & ethnicity
64.1%
19%
White64.1%
Black9.5%
Hispanic19%
Asian5%
Other2.4%
Education (25+)
25.9%
31%
31.1%
No HS diploma12%
HS diploma25.9%
Some college31%
Bachelor's+31.1%
Housing tenure
58.9%
41.1%
Owner58.9%
Renter41.1%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Wichita, KS has changed in 5 years

Rent
$866 → $1,146
up 32.3%
Income
$56,374 → $64,620
up 14.6%
Population
394,574 → 397,945
up 0.9%
Renter share
42.2% → 41.1%
-1.1 pts
Bachelor's+
30.5% → 31.1%
+0.6 pts

Rent in Wichita, KS has increased 32.3% since 2021, going from about $866 per month to roughly $1,146 today. Census figures show median household income at $64,620 today, compared with $56,374 five years earlier. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 17.7 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

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

Can you afford rent in Wichita on your salary?

At $1,146/mo, how Wichita rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Wichita rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Wichita

About renting in Wichita, KS

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Wichita is $1,146/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $742/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,074/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $820/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,408/mo.

At 21% of local median household income ($64,620/yr), Wichita ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.6% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Wichita an affordable city for renters?

Wichita is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,146/mo, rent takes approximately 21% of the local median household income ($64,620/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Wichita falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Wichita?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $46,000/year (~$22/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,146/mo in Wichita. The local median household income is $64,620/yr, meaning the typical Wichita household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Wichita?

Rent in Wichita has increased 4.6% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Wichita neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Wichita are 67214 ($890/mo), 67211 ($907/mo), and 67213 ($971/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Wichita is $1,146/mo.

How does Wichita rent compare to other cities in Kansas?

Wichita is one of the more affordable cities in Kansas for rent, ranking #20 out of 25 tracked cities at $1,146/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Wichita?

Newton is nearby and more affordable at $1,051/mo, which is $95 less than Wichita.

What percentage of Wichita residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 41.1% of Wichita households are renters, while 58.9% are owner-occupied. Wichita leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Wichita rent compare to the national average?

Wichita's median rent of $1,146/mo is $819 (42%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Kansas, it ranks #20 out of 25 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
21%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,146/mo, rent takes ~21% of Wichita's median household income ($64,620/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Wichita 21%Benchmark 30%
State income tax3.1–5.7%
Run the Wichita affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Wichita
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Wichita, KS

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