Rental Investing in Kansas City, MO

2026 Market Data & Investment Analysis

Gross Yield

6.8%

Annual rent / price

Median Home Price

$220,000

As of 2026-Q1

Median Monthly Rent

$1,250

Per month

Population

508,090

+0.5% / yr (5y avg)

Calculate Your Return in Kansas City

Pre-filled with Kansas City's median values. Adjust to match your specific property.

Property Details

$

Total acquisition cost before taxes

$
$

HOA, insurance, property management

%

% of time the property is empty

%

% of purchase price (e.g. 2% = 2)

% of price

Rule of thumb: 1% of purchase price/yr

Results

Gross Rental Yield

6.82%

Net Rental Yield

4.39%

Cap Rate

4.39%

Monthly Cash Flow

$804.17

Annual Cash Flow

$9,650.00

> 6% — Excellent4–6% — Good< 4% — Low

Market Overview

Median Home Price — 5-Year Trend

2021
$190,000
2022
$245,000
2023
$229,000
2024
$224,000
2025
$220,000

Median Monthly Rent — 5-Year Trend

2021
$1,070
2022
$1,220
2023
$1,255
2024
$1,253
2025
$1,250

Kansas City provides solid rental yields of 6.8%, in line with healthy investment market benchmarks.

Modest population growth of 0.5% per year indicates a stable but slowly growing rental market.

The vacancy rate of 6.5% is healthy, indicating strong rental demand and limited downtime between tenants.

Investment Profile

Cash Flow Market

Kansas City is a cash flow-focused market where high rental yields can generate strong monthly income. Lower population growth means price appreciation may be limited, making this primarily an income play.

Strengths

  • High gross yield of 6.8% supports strong monthly cash flow
  • Lower entry prices relative to rents reduce upfront capital needed
  • Income-driven returns are less dependent on market timing

! Risks

  • Limited price appreciation potential reduces total return
  • Modest population growth limits long-term demand growth

Key Metrics

Gross Yield6.8%
Median Home Price$220,000
Median Monthly Rent$1,250
Population Growth+0.5% / yr
Vacancy Rate6.5%

How Kansas City Compares

Kansas City vs St. Louis: 0.7 percentage point difference in gross yield.

CityMedian PriceMedian RentGross YieldPop. Growth
St. Louis, MO$175,000$1,1007.5%-0.8%
Omaha, NE$240,000$1,3006.5%+0.6%
Oklahoma City, OK$195,000$1,1507.1%+0.8%
Dallas, TX$350,000$1,7005.8%+1.6%
Denver, CO$540,000$1,9004.2%+0.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is rental investing profitable in Kansas City?
Yes, Kansas City offers a gross rental yield of 6.8%, which is above the national average of around 5–6%. With a median home price of $220,000 and median monthly rent of $1,250, the numbers support profitable rental investing — though your specific results depend on financing terms, expenses, and property management.
What is the average rental yield in Kansas City?
The average gross rental yield in Kansas City is approximately 6.8%, based on a median home price of $220,000 and median monthly rent of $1,250 (as of 2026-Q1). Net yield, which accounts for vacancy, expenses, and maintenance, is typically 2–3 percentage points lower.
How does Kansas City compare to St. Louis for investors?
Kansas City has a gross yield of 6.8% compared to 7.5% in St. Louis, a difference of 0.7 percentage points. St. Louis offers higher current yield. Kansas City may compensate through stronger population growth and long-term appreciation potential.

Ready to Analyse a Specific Property in Kansas City?

Use our free rental yield calculator to model any property — not just the median.

Data source: Zillow Research / U.S. Census Bureau. Last updated: 2026-Q1. This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.