ZIP Code · KS

ZIP 66049

Part of Lawrence, KS

Pop. 32,015·Douglas County·21st most expensive ZIP in Kansas

Median rent (all units)

$1,678/mo

Year-over-Year

+7.3%

Month-over-Month

+0.8%

vs US Median

-$254

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 66049 · $1,678

More affordable than 60% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$940

1 BR

$1,060

2 BR

$1,240

3 BR

$1,720

4 BR+

$2,080

Research median

$1,240/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: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 66049 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in October 2023.

Past year vs. the rest of Kansas

Rent in ZIP 66049 changed +7.3% over the year to September 2026. Across the 55 Kansas ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.1%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 8 months in a row, and rose in 10 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($90,147) is $2,254 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($2,080).

Rank in Lawrence

2nd cheapest of 3 ZIP codes in Lawrence.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 66049. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$20,136/yr

At $1,678/mo median

Location

CityLawrence

StateKS

CountyDouglas County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 7.3% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+7.3% YoY, +0.8% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 66049 (Lawrence, KS) is roughly split between renters and owners, has a median income above the national average, 61.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

32,015

Median income

$90,147

Median age

Renters

45%

Age distribution

21.1%

24.3%

26.4%

18.1%

Under 1821.1%

18–3424.3%

35–5426.4%

55–6410.2%

65+18.1%

Gender

47.1%

52.9%

Male47.1%

Female52.9%

Race & ethnicity

78.7%

White78.7%

Black4.2%

Hispanic3.9%

Asian5.3%

Other7.9%

Education (25+)

12.2%

22.4%

61.4%

No HS diploma4%

HS diploma12.2%

Some college22.4%

Bachelor's+61.4%

Housing tenure

55%

45%

Owner55%

Renter45%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 66049 in Lawrence, KS has changed in 5 years

Income

$80,983 → $90,147

up 11.3%

Population

31,458 → 32,015

up 1.8%

Renter share

44.4% → 45%

+0.6 pts

Bachelor's+

64.5% → 61.4%

-3.1 pts

Median age

36.8 → 38

+1.2 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 66049 in Lawrence, KS now reports about $90,147, up from $80,983 in 2021. The population has grown by 1.8% since 2021, moving from about 31,458 residents to roughly 32,015. College-educated residents now make up 61.4% of adults here, versus 64.5% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about ZIP 66049

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 66049

About renting in ZIP 66049

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 66049 covers Lawrence, KS. The median rent here is $1,678/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,060/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,240/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($90,147/yr), ZIP 66049 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 7.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 66049?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $67,000/year (about $32/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,678/mo in ZIP 66049. The local median household income is $90,147/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 66049?

Rent in ZIP 66049 has risen 7.3% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in October 2023.

How does ZIP 66049 compare to other ZIPs in Kansas?

ZIP 66049 is one of the pricier among Kansas ZIP codes for rent, ranking #21 of 70 at $1,678/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 66049 changed +7.3%, against a typical +4.1% across the 55 Kansas ZIP codes Zillow tracks.