salaryRent is lower than in 71% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $51,080 a year. That is $25 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 41 of 65 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Ottawa?
Share of households by yearly income. 18.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Ottawa
| Size | Ottawa | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $930 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $817 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,188 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,251 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,590 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Ottawa 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 Ottawa, so the Kansas figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Ottawa
Life in Ottawa
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Ottawa?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $122 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $166,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $16,650 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Ottawa, KS?
Renting in Ottawa costs a median of about $1,277 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Kansas median is $1,222.
How much do I need to make to live in Ottawa?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $51,080 a year, or $25 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Ottawa cheap or expensive?
Ottawa is rated Cheap: rent takes 19.8% of the typical household income of $77,327. It ranks 41st cheapest of 65 Kansas cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Ottawa?
The median homeowner in Ottawa pays $3,010 a year in property taxes, about 1.81% of the median home value.
Is Ottawa 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 Ottawa?
The median home value in Ottawa is $166,500, about 2.2 times the typical yearly household income.
12,678 people live in Ottawa. Numbers are typical (middle) values.