Hays Housing Market Faces Supply Shortages Amid Rising Prices

Hays is confronting a persistent imbalance in its housing market, with demand significantly outstripping supply, contributing to rising home and rental prices. Despite these challenges, the median home price in Hays remains lower than in many comparable Kansas and Nebraska communities. Recent housing developments include 14 single-family homes, 48 multi-family units, and four duplexes permitted in 2025, with ongoing projects such as the Ellis Estates apartments for retirees and new complexes on West 10th and West 11th Streets. Infrastructure developments are underway for an additional 101 homes in the Tallgrass Addition phase four, although builders face shortages in both lots and subcontractors, slowing completion timelines. The local housing market also accommodates transient workers through Airbnb units, which currently number between 60 and 80 within an approximate 9,000-unit housing base. These rentals serve as temporary housing for workers engaged in residential and commercial development projects, a factor not yet significantly impacting the broader rental market. Concerns about rising property taxes have been raised, particularly affecting fixed-income residents in the context of broader cost increases including insurance and food expenses. However, comparative analyses show Hays' property tax rates are moderate relative to similar communities, with significant portions of tax revenue directed toward public employees such as teachers and first responders. The increase in property taxes is partly attributed to recent school bond measures, addressing decades of deferred spending. Smaller rural towns with declining populations face proportionally higher tax burdens due to a smaller tax base. Local officials are a visible target for criticism over rising costs, though some of these pressures stem from broader economic factors including rising health and auto insurance rates that are less visible to the public. Efforts to expand affordable housing face economic constraints exacerbated by reductions in state subsidies for low-income housing. Stakeholders are encouraged to focus on solutions to the housing supply shortage rather than dwelling solely on tax perceptions. The overall cost of living and housing prices in Hays remain competitive within the region, indicating a balanced perspective is necessary when evaluating the community's economic environment and housing market dynamics.