ZIP Code · KS

ZIP 66503

Part of Manhattan, KS

Pop. 17,273·Riley County·34th most expensive ZIP in Kansas

Median rent (all units)

$1,435/mo

Year-over-Year

+7.3%

Month-over-Month

+0.6%

vs US Median

-$497

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 66503 · $1,435

More affordable than 77% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$990

1 BR

$1,000

2 BR

$1,220

3 BR

$1,700

4 BR+

$2,050

Research median

$1,220/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

Cheapest month to sign

September. Asking rents in ZIP 66503 usually run 0.8% below trend in September and 0.6% above it in May, about $20 a month apart at today's median. Based on 7 years of data.

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 66503 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in August 2019.

Past year vs. the rest of Kansas

Rent in ZIP 66503 changed +7.2% over the year to September 2026. Across the 55 Kansas ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.1%.

Since before the pandemic

Rent in ZIP 66503 is 35.2% higher than in March 2020. Across the US, rent is up 37.3% over the same stretch.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 2 months in a row, and rose in 9 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($97,846) is $2,446 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($2,050).

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 66503. The seasonal pattern compares Zillow’s seasonally adjusted and unadjusted series. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$17,220/yr

At $1,435/mo median

Location

CityManhattan

StateKS

CountyRiley 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, +0.6% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 66503 (Manhattan, KS) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 61.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

17,273

Median income

$97,846

Median age

Renters

40.5%

Age distribution

21.6%

24.5%

26.6%

12.8%

14.5%

Under 1821.6%

18–3424.5%

35–5426.6%

55–6412.8%

65+14.5%

Gender

50.6%

49.4%

Male50.6%

Female49.4%

Race & ethnicity

76.4%

White76.4%

Black6.8%

Hispanic6.2%

Asian4.5%

Other6.1%

Education (25+)

25.2%

61.8%

No HS diploma1.3%

HS diploma11.7%

Some college25.2%

Bachelor's+61.8%

Housing tenure

59.5%

40.5%

Owner59.5%

Renter40.5%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 66503 in Manhattan, KS has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,085 → $1,435

up 32.3%

Income

$86,828 → $97,846

up 12.7%

Population

16,715 → 17,273

up 3.3%

Renter share

38.5% → 40.5%

+2.0 pts

Bachelor's+

61.2% → 61.8%

+0.6 pts

Compared with 2021, rent in ZIP 66503 in Manhattan, KS has increased by $350 per month, settling near $1,435 after starting the period at $1,085. On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 66503 in Manhattan, KS now reports about $97,846, up from $86,828 in 2021. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 19.6 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 16,715 to 17,273 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.3% change. About 40.5% of households rent today, against 38.5% in 2021. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and ZIP 66503 in Manhattan, KS reflects that arc in its own way.

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About renting in ZIP 66503

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 66503 covers Manhattan, KS. The median rent here is $1,435/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,000/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,220/mo.

At 18% of local median household income ($97,846/yr), ZIP 66503 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 66503?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $57,000/year (about $27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,435/mo in ZIP 66503. The local median household income is $97,846/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 66503?

Rent in ZIP 66503 has risen 7.3% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in August 2019.

When is the cheapest time to rent in ZIP 66503?

Asking rents in ZIP 66503 are usually lowest in September, about 0.8% below their yearly trend, and highest in May, about 0.6% above it. At today's median that is a gap of roughly $20 a month. This pattern comes from 7 years of Zillow rent data.

How does ZIP 66503 compare to other ZIPs in Kansas?

ZIP 66503 is in the middle among Kansas ZIP codes for rent, ranking #34 of 70 at $1,435/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 66503 changed +7.2%, against a typical +4.1% across the 55 Kansas ZIP codes Zillow tracks.