Rents are 3% below what Kansas City's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
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 $1,445 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: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
Kansas City, MO is majority owner-occupied, 38.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Kansas City, MO has changed in 5 years
Since 2021, the typical rent in Kansas City, MO has climbed from $1,070 to $1,445, a 35.0% change over five years. Household income in the area moved from $60,042 to $69,166 across the same window, up 15.2% versus 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 1.6% since 2021, moving from about 502,597 residents to roughly 510,612. Renters now make up 44.6% of households, compared with 46.1% five years ago. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Kansas City, MO look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.
Discussions about Kansas City
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Can you afford rent in Kansas City on your salary?
At $1,445/mo, how Kansas City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Kansas City rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Kansas City. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Kansas City
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Kansas City is $1,445/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,113/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,397/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,226/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,823/mo.
At 25% of local median household income ($69,166/yr), Kansas City ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.8% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kansas City an affordable city for renters?
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Which Kansas City neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Kansas City rent compare to other cities in Missouri?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Kansas City?
What percentage of Kansas City residents rent vs. own?
How does Kansas City rent compare to the national average?
At $1,445/mo, rent takes ~25% of Kansas City's median household income ($69,166/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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