Most rent-burdened cities in Kansas

Cities in Kansas ranked by highest rent as a percentage of median household income. Cities with 15,000+ residents.

Key findings

Lawrence ranks first, with rent at 29.2% of median household income.
Across all 20 cities on this list, the median rent is $1,322/mo.

Data as of September 2026. Twelve months of median rent as a share of Census median household income (5-year estimates). Updated monthly. Download this list (CSV)

Best value (RRS)Overheated (RRS)Most affordable Most expensive Rent falling Rent rising Best rent/income Most rent-burdened Record-high rent Seasonal swings Rent vs. income

20 cities

Rank	City	Rent/income	Median rent	Income	Vs. a year ago
01	LawrenceKS Pop. 96KCompare →	29.2%	$1,580/mo	$65,009	same
02	TopekaKS Pop. 126KCompare →	26.3%	$1,249/mo	$56,956	same
03	ManhattanKS Pop. 54KCompare →	26.2%	$1,315/mo	$60,172	same
04	Kansas CityKS Pop. 155KCompare →	25.4%	$1,322/mo	$62,401	same
05	PittsburgKS Pop. 21KCompare →	24.8%	$899/mo	$43,419	same
06	Prairie VillageKS Pop. 23KCompare →	23.2%	$2,195/mo	$113,530	same
07	Junction CityKS Pop. 22KCompare →	22.2%	$1,132/mo	$61,181	same
08	WichitaKS Pop. 398KCompare →	21.5%	$1,159/mo	$64,620	↑1 from #9
09	DerbyKS Pop. 26KCompare →	21.4%	$1,497/mo	$84,112	↓1 from #8
10	SalinaKS Pop. 46KCompare →	20.7%	$1,066/mo	$61,783	same
11	LenexaKS Pop. 58KCompare →	20.1%	$1,730/mo	$103,239	↑1 from #12
12	Overland ParkKS Pop. 200KCompare →	20.1%	$1,754/mo	$104,834	↓1 from #11
13	GardnerKS Pop. 25KCompare →	19.9%	$1,602/mo	$96,818	same
14	LeavenworthKS Pop. 37KCompare →	19.4%	$1,182/mo	$72,987	same
15	OlatheKS Pop. 145KCompare →	19.0%	$1,809/mo	$114,009	same
16	NewtonKS Pop. 18KCompare →	17.5%	$1,007/mo	$68,885	↑2 from #18
17	HutchinsonKS Pop. 40KCompare →	16.5%	$805/mo	$58,687	↑2 from #19
18	EmporiaKS Pop. 24KCompare →	16.3%	$718/mo	$52,704	↓2 from #16
19	ShawneeKS Pop. 69KCompare →	16.3%	$1,497/mo	$109,940	↓2 from #17
20	LeawoodKS Pop. 34KCompare →	13.4%	$2,076/mo	$185,625	same