Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Atchison, KS
The median monthly rent in Atchison, KS is $1,220, translating to $14,640 in annual gross rental income per unit. The rent-to-price ratio is 0.70% — well below the 1% rule, making pure cash flow investing challenging at median prices and requiring investors to target below-median purchases or value-add strategies. For context, a 0.70% rent-to-price ratio means that for every $100,000 invested in property, you collect approximately $697/mo in gross rent. The gross rent multiplier of 12.0x means it takes 12.0 years of gross rent to equal the purchase price — an excellent ratio that signals strong income relative to cost.
Renters in Atchison spend approximately 27% of the local median household income ($55,200) on rent. This is within the healthy 25-30% range, indicating rent is affordable relative to local incomes. There may be room for moderate rent increases, especially for updated or well-located units. The 30% affordability ceiling suggests maximum supportable rent of approximately $1,380/mo — that is $160/mo above current median rent.
The vacancy rate in Atchison is 5.3%. This is a healthy vacancy rate that indicates balanced supply and demand. You should be able to find quality tenants without extended vacancies, though expect normal turnover periods of 2-4 weeks between tenants. Budget for one month of vacancy per year in your underwriting to be conservative. Population growth of 0.7% annually provides stable demand.
Atchison's GRM (price divided by annual rent) is 12.0x. A GRM under 12x is excellent — it means you are paying less than 12 years of gross rent for the property, suggesting strong income relative to price. Markets with GRMs this low typically attract institutional and out-of-state investors seeking yield, which can create competition for the best deals. For comparison, the national average GRM for investment-grade rentals is approximately 13-15x. To beat Atchison's median GRM, target properties where you can achieve rents above $1,220 through renovations, better marketing, or targeting underserved tenant segments — or buy at a discount to the $175,000 median price. Every point lower on GRM translates to roughly 0.5-0.8% improvement in your cap rate.
At the median rent of $1,220/mo, a single-family rental in Atchison generates approximately $14,640 in gross annual income. After accounting for 5.3% vacancy ($776 lost), property taxes of $2,415, insurance (~$700), and maintenance (~$700), the estimated NOI is $10,049 per year, or $837/mo. Adding an 8% management fee ($1,171/yr) reduces investor cash flow further. Before debt service, you are looking at approximately $8,878/yr in landlord net income. Whether this is attractive depends on your total capital invested — at a $35,000 down payment, the unlevered yield on equity from NOI alone is 28.7%.
Rent growth in Atchison is driven by the interplay of population growth (0.7%), income growth, and housing supply constraints. Moderate population growth of 0.7% supports steady rent increases of approximately 2.5% per year. That trajectory takes today's $1,220/mo to $1,314 in 3 years and $1,380 in 5 years. The affordability headroom of $160/mo between current rents and the 30% income threshold offers some room for increases, though landlords should be strategic about timing and magnitude.
With a median income of $55,200 and affordable home prices ($175,000), many tenants in Atchison are working families and individuals who could buy but choose to rent — or are saving for a down payment. This creates a reliable tenant base that values stability and tends to stay longer, reducing turnover costs. In a smaller market of 50,000 residents, word-of-mouth and local listing platforms may be more effective than national sites for finding tenants.
Atchison is a smaller market where professional PM options may be limited. Fees can run 10-12% of rent, and the quality of available managers varies widely. At $1,220/mo, management costs roughly $134/mo. Self-management makes sense if you are local, have fewer than 5 units, and the rent level justifies your time — at $1,220/mo, self-management of a small portfolio saves meaningful dollars but professional management becomes economical at 3-4 units.
Atchison vs Kansas state average and national average across key investment metrics. Atchison outperforms both benchmarks on cap rate.