City Report · CO

Basalt

Pop. 4,335·4th most expensive in Colorado·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$3,800/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+1.6%
vs US Median
+$1,868
Reported rents
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Basalt · $3,800
More expensive than 97% of US cities · National median $1,932/mo
Affordability
43% of income
STRETCHED
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $3,800/mo, rent takes about 43% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$152,000/yr
Local median income
$105,855/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Basalt's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,660
1 BR
$1,900
2 BR
$2,380
3 BR
$2,910
4 BR+
$3,320
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,380/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,800 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($105,855) is $2,646 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($2,380); a 3-bedroom is $2,910.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Basalt. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost
$45,600/yr
At $3,800/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (0.0% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, +1.6% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Basalt, CO is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 57.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
4,335
Median income
$105,855
Median age
41.2
Renters
40.7%
Age distribution
15%
22.7%
26.3%
12%
23.9%
Under 1815%
18–3422.7%
35–5426.3%
55–6412%
65+23.9%
Gender
47.8%
52.2%
Male47.8%
Female52.2%
Race & ethnicity
88.8%
White88.8%
Hispanic6.8%
Asian0.8%
Other3.3%
Education (25+)
34.4%
57.2%
No HS diploma0.8%
HS diploma7.7%
Some college34.4%
Bachelor's+57.2%
Housing tenure
59.3%
40.7%
Owner59.3%
Renter40.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Basalt, CO has changed in 5 years

Income
$104,605 → $105,855
up 1.2%
Population
3,802 → 4,335
up 14.0%
Renter share
32.5% → 40.7%
+8.2 pts
Bachelor's+
56.6% → 57.2%
+0.6 pts
Median age
49.8 → 41.2
-8.6 yrs

Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $104,605 in 2021 to $105,855 more recently. Census counts show Basalt, CO adding about 533 residents over the five-year window, up 14.0% on net. The renter share has risen from 32.5% to 40.7%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder.

Community

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View Basalt rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Basalt on your salary?

At $3,800/mo, how Basalt rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Basalt rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Basalt. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Basalt

About renting in Basalt, CO

Last updated: October 17, 2026

The median rent in Basalt is $3,800/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,660/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,380/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,900/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,910/mo.

At 43% of local median household income ($105,855/yr), Basalt ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in Basalt?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $152,000/year (about $73/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,800/mo in Basalt. The local median household income is $105,855/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in Basalt?

Rent in Basalt has been roughly flat over the past year, a 0.0% change.

How does Basalt rent compare to other cities in Colorado?

Basalt is one of the pricier among Colorado cities for rent, ranking #4 of 68 tracked cities at $3,800/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Basalt?

Nearby cities with lower median rent than Basalt ($3,800/mo) include Glenwood Springs ($2,538/mo), and Eagle ($3,031/mo).
Income Affordability
43%
STRETCHED

At $3,800/mo, rent takes ~43% of Basalt's median household income ($105,855/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Basalt 43%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.4%
Run the Basalt affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Basalt, CO

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