salaryRent is lower than in 73% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.6 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 11.1 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $49,800 a year. That is $24 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Kansas cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Kansas. It is number 38 of 65 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Hays?
Share of households by yearly income. 17.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Hays
| Size | Hays | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $645 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $771 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $996 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,177 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,573 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Hays overall?
Everyday prices in Kansas overall are 10% below the U.S. average (index 90.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Hays, so the Kansas figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Hays
Life in Hays
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Hays?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $320 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $225,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $22,550 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Hays, KS?
Renting in Hays costs a median of about $1,245 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Kansas median is $1,222.
How much do I need to make to live in Hays?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $49,800 a year, or $24 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Hays cheap or expensive?
Hays is rated OK: rent takes 23.7% of the typical household income of $63,048. It ranks 38th cheapest of 65 Kansas cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Hays?
The median homeowner in Hays pays $2,765 a year in property taxes, about 1.23% of the median home value.
Is Hays more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Kansas are 10% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Hays?
The median home value in Hays is $225,500, about 3.6 times the typical yearly household income.
21,143 people live in Hays. Numbers are typical (middle) values.