Studio Apartment Rent in Kansas City, MO
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Kansas City, Missouri as of July 2026. That's +23% lower than the citywide median of $1,444 and +14% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio 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 studio in Missouri
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kirksville | $610 |
| 2 | Jefferson City | $660 |
| 3 | Rolla | $680 |
| 4 | Bolivar | $690 |
| 5 | Columbia | $697 |
| 6 | Sedalia | $700 |
| 7 | Fulton | $730 |
| 8 | Cape Girardeau | $750 |
| 9 | Waynesville | $750 |
| 10 | Saint Robert | $760 |
| 11 | Knob Noster | $780 |
| 12 | Branson | $790 |
| 13 | Springfield | $793 |
| 14 | Joplin | $835 |
| 15 | Jennings | $840 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Missouri
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clayton | $1,360 |
| 2 | Brentwood | $1,300 |
| 3 | Creve Coeur | $1,280 |
| 4 | Chesterfield | $1,280 |
| 5 | Ballwin | $1,275 |
| 6 | Raymore | $1,230 |
| 7 | Lake Saint Louis | $1,230 |
| 8 | Lees Summit | $1,224 |
| 9 | Grain Valley | $1,170 |
| 10 | Belton | $1,160 |
| 11 | Kirkwood | $1,140 |
| 12 | O Fallon | $1,135 |
| 13 | Olivette | $1,130 |
| 14 | Saint Charles | $1,123 |
| 15 | Mehlville | $1,122 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Kansas City.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Kansas City |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Kansas City, MO | 2.9 mi | $1,008 | $-105 (-9%) |
| Riverside, MO | 6.7 mi | $890 | $-223 (-20%) |
| Gladstone, MO | 7.7 mi | $1,050 | $-63 (-6%) |
| Prairie Village, KS | 8.5 mi | $1,550 | +$437 (+39%) |
| Mission, KS | 9.1 mi | $1,050 | $-63 (-6%) |
| Raytown, MO | 10.4 mi | $970 | $-143 (-13%) |
| Kansas City, KS | 10.5 mi | $1,033 | $-80 (-7%) |
| Independence, MO | 11.8 mi | $975 | $-138 (-12%) |
| Leawood, KS | 12.9 mi | $1,397 | +$284 (+26%) |
| Parkville, MO | 13.7 mi | $1,110 | $-3 (0%) |
| Overland Park, KS | 14.8 mi | $1,339 | +$226 (+20%) |
| Shawnee, KS | 15.2 mi | $1,113 | — |
Studio rent in Kansas City — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Kansas City?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Kansas City, Missouri is $1,113 per month. This is +23% below the citywide median of $1,444.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Kansas City?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $44,520 ($3,710/month gross), which works out to roughly $21.40/hour at a full-time job.
Is Kansas City expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Kansas City's studio median of $1,113 is +14% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 36th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Kansas City rank for studio rent in Missouri?
Among the 69 cities in Missouri with studio data, Kansas City ranks #54 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Kansas City?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include North Kansas City ($1,008), Riverside ($890), Gladstone ($1,050).