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City Report · MO

Kansas City

Pop. 510,612·37th most expensive in Missouri·Kansas City rents are up 5.1% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,452/mo
Year-over-Year
+5.1%
Month-over-Month
+0.7%
vs US Median
-$499
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Kansas City · $1,452
More affordable than 79% of US cities · National median $1,951/mo
Rent Reality Score
54/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are right about where Kansas City's 10-year trend predicts.

Actual rent
$1,452/mo
Expected by trend
$1,478/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Kansas City'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
$1,226
2 BR
$1,397
3 BR
$1,823
4 BR+
$2,154
Research median
$1,397/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: June 22, 2026

Annual cost
$17,424/yr
At $1,452/mo median
Market timing
Rents rising
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Demographics

Who lives here

Kansas City, MO is majority owner-occupied, 38.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
510,612
Median income
$69,166
Median age
35.8
Renters
44.6%
Age distribution
22.5%
26.3%
25.2%
14.3%
Under 1822.5%
18–3426.3%
35–5425.2%
55–6411.6%
65+14.3%
Gender
48.3%
51.7%
Male48.3%
Female51.7%
Race & ethnicity
56.5%
25.5%
12.5%
White56.5%
Black25.5%
Hispanic12.5%
Asian2.9%
Other2.7%
Education (25+)
24.9%
28.6%
38.4%
No HS diploma8.1%
HS diploma24.9%
Some college28.6%
Bachelor's+38.4%
Housing tenure
55.4%
44.6%
Owner55.4%
Renter44.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Kansas City, MO has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,070 → $1,452
up 35.7%
Income
$60,042 → $69,166
up 15.2%
Population
502,597 → 510,612
up 1.6%
Renter share
46.1% → 44.6%
-1.5 pts
Bachelor's+
36.5% → 38.4%
+1.9 pts

Since 2021, the typical rent in Kansas City, MO has climbed from $1,070 to $1,452, a 35.7% 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.

Community

Discussions about Kansas City

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View Kansas City rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Kansas City on your salary?

At $1,452/mo, how Kansas City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Kansas City rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Kansas City

About renting in Kansas City, MO

Last updated: June 22, 2026

The median rent in Kansas City is $1,452/mo as of June 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 5.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Kansas City an affordable city for renters?

Kansas City is considered affordable for renters. At $1,452/mo, rent takes approximately 25% of the local median household income ($69,166/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Kansas City falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Kansas City?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $58,000/year (~$28/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,452/mo in Kansas City. The local median household income is $69,166/yr, meaning the typical Kansas City household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Kansas City?

Rent in Kansas City has increased 5.1% over the past year as of June 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Kansas City neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Kansas City are 64124 ($1,071/mo), 64109 ($1,165/mo), and 64127 ($1,190/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Kansas City is $1,452/mo.

How does Kansas City rent compare to other cities in Missouri?

Kansas City is middle-of-the-pack for Missouri for rent, ranking #37 out of 78 tracked cities at $1,452/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Kansas City?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Kansas City ($1,452/mo): Sugar Creek ($1,082/mo), Gladstone ($1,386/mo).

What percentage of Kansas City residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 44.6% of Kansas City households are renters, while 55.4% are owner-occupied. Kansas City leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Kansas City rent compare to the national average?

Kansas City's median rent of $1,452/mo is $499 (26%) below the US national median of $1,951/mo. Within Missouri, it ranks #37 out of 78 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
25%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,452/mo, rent takes ~25% of Kansas City's median household income ($69,166/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Kansas City 25%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–4.7%
Run the Kansas City affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Kansas City
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Kansas City, MO

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