1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Kansas City, MO
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Kansas City, Missouri as of July 2026. That's +15% lower than the citywide median of $1,444 and +12% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Kansas City
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Kansas City
Compare Kansas City's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Missouri
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kirksville | $640 |
| 2 | Jefferson City | $670 |
| 3 | Bolivar | $690 |
| 4 | Rolla | $690 |
| 5 | Sedalia | $700 |
| 6 | Fulton | $730 |
| 7 | Waynesville | $750 |
| 8 | Saint Robert | $760 |
| 9 | Knob Noster | $790 |
| 10 | Springfield | $798 |
| 11 | Branson | $800 |
| 12 | Cape Girardeau | $800 |
| 13 | Joplin | $835 |
| 14 | Nixa | $840 |
| 15 | Ozark | $850 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Missouri
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clayton | $1,410 |
| 2 | Raymore | $1,350 |
| 3 | Lees Summit | $1,346 |
| 4 | Brentwood | $1,340 |
| 5 | Chesterfield | $1,330 |
| 6 | Creve Coeur | $1,320 |
| 7 | Ballwin | $1,320 |
| 8 | Grain Valley | $1,280 |
| 9 | Lake Saint Louis | $1,270 |
| 10 | Belton | $1,270 |
| 11 | Valley Park | $1,267 |
| 12 | Kansas City (this page) | $1,226 |
| 13 | Parkville | $1,220 |
| 14 | O Fallon | $1,180 |
| 15 | Kirkwood | $1,180 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Kansas City.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Kansas City |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Kansas City, MO | 2.9 mi | $993 | $-233 (-19%) |
| Riverside, MO | 6.7 mi | $990 | $-236 (-19%) |
| Gladstone, MO | 7.7 mi | $1,150 | $-76 (-6%) |
| Prairie Village, KS | 8.5 mi | $1,710 | +$484 (+39%) |
| Mission, KS | 9.1 mi | $1,160 | $-66 (-5%) |
| Raytown, MO | 10.4 mi | $1,070 | $-156 (-13%) |
| Kansas City, KS | 10.5 mi | $1,138 | $-88 (-7%) |
| Independence, MO | 11.8 mi | $1,073 | $-153 (-12%) |
| Leawood, KS | 12.9 mi | $1,543 | +$317 (+26%) |
| Parkville, MO | 13.7 mi | $1,220 | $-6 (0%) |
| Overland Park, KS | 14.8 mi | $1,474 | +$248 (+20%) |
| Shawnee, KS | 15.2 mi | $1,220 | $-6 (0%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Kansas City — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Kansas City?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Kansas City, Missouri is $1,226 per month. This is +15% below the citywide median of $1,444.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Kansas City?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $49,040 ($4,087/month gross), which works out to roughly $23.58/hour at a full-time job.
Is Kansas City expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Kansas City's 1-bedroom median of $1,226 is +12% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 38th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Kansas City rank for 1-bedroom rent in Missouri?
Among the 72 cities in Missouri with 1-bedroom data, Kansas City ranks #61 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Kansas City?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include North Kansas City ($993), Riverside ($990), Gladstone ($1,150).