Special Interest
Housing in Shawnee County
Both Census and HUD figures represent gross rent — contract rent plus estimated utility costs for electricity, heat, water, and sewer.
Rent in Shawnee County averages $1,000/month for a 2‑bedroom in 2024, compared to the Kansas median of $1,060 and the national median of $1,413. Local renters spend approximately 28% of household income on rent, below the national average of 32%.
HUD 2026 50th Percentile Rent Estimates for Shawnee County FMR Area are $854 for a studio, $884 for 1‑bedroom, $1,140 for 2‑bedroom, $1,501 for 3‑bedroom, and $1,522 for 4‑bedroom.
HUD 2026 Rent Estimates reflect market movement since 2024 Census data — a $140 increase for a 2-bedroom in Shawnee County shows a 14% rise over that period.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics annual unemployment rate for Shawnee County was 3.8% in 2024, compared to Kansas at 3.6% and the national rate of 4.0%.
