How much does it cost to rent in Boulder, CO?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Boulder, CO is $2,439. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Boulder cheaper than other Colorado cities?

Boulder is one of the pricier cities in Colorado, ranking #19 out of 66 cities tracked at $2,439/mo.

When was Boulder rent data last updated?

Boulder rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · CO

Boulder

Name: Average Rent Prices in Boulder, CO
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 106,433·19th most expensive in Colorado·Rental market data updated monthly for Boulder, CO

Median rent (all units)

$2,439/mo

Year-over-Year

-2.1%

Month-over-Month

+0.7%

vs US Median

+$474

Rising (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss Boulder rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

Boulder · $2,439

More expensive than 78% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

62/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 6% below what Boulder's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$2,439/mo

Expected by trend

$2,594/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Boulder's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,566

1 BR

$1,818

2 BR

$2,202

3 BR

$2,892

4 BR+

$3,312

Research median

$2,202/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$29,268/yr

At $2,439/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Balanced Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are roughly steady, with neither renters nor landlords holding a strong edge right now.

Based on rent-price momentum (-2.1% YoY, +0.7% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Boulder, CO is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, 76.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

106,433

Median income

$87,493

Median age

28.8

Renters

52.8%

Age distribution

47%

20.2%

12.7%

Under 1811.8%

18–3447%

35–5420.2%

55–648.4%

65+12.7%

Gender

51.7%

48.3%

Male51.7%

Female48.3%

Race & ethnicity

80.3%

White80.3%

Black1.1%

Hispanic10.7%

Asian5.5%

Other2.5%

Education (25+)

13.9%

76.8%

No HS diploma2.7%

HS diploma6.6%

Some college13.9%

Bachelor's+76.8%

Housing tenure

47.2%

52.8%

Owner47.2%

Renter52.8%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Boulder, CO has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,952 → $2,439

up 24.9%

Income

$74,902 → $87,493

up 16.8%

Population

104,930 → 106,433

up 1.4%

Renter share

52.3% → 52.8%

+0.5 pts

Bachelor's+

76.8% → 76.8%

+0.0 pts

Across the past five years, the going rent in Boulder, CO has shifted from $1,952 to $2,439, up 24.9% since 2021. Household income in the area moved from $74,902 to $87,493 across the same window, up 16.8% versus 2021. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show Boulder, CO adding about 1,503 residents over the five-year window, up 1.4% on net. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Boulder, CO look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.

Community

Discussions about Boulder

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View Boulder rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Boulder on your salary?

At $2,439/mo, how Boulder rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $99,204/yr · Rent = 29.5% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $70,434/yr · Rent = 41.6% income

rent-burdened

Police Officer

Avg $81,134/yr · Rent = 36.1% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $145,016/yr · Rent = 20.2% income

affordable

Lawyer

Avg $185,294/yr · Rent = 15.8% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $65,951/yr · Rent = 44.4% income

rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $59,546/yr · Rent = 49.2% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $73,395/yr · Rent = 39.9% income

stretched

By apartment size

Boulder rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Boulder

About renting in Boulder, CO

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Boulder is $2,439/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,566/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,202/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,818/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,892/mo.

At 33% of local median household income ($87,493/yr), Boulder ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 2.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Boulder an affordable city for renters?

Boulder is considered moderate for renters. At $2,439/mo, rent takes approximately 33% of the local median household income ($87,493/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Boulder slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Boulder?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $98,000/year (~$47/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,439/mo in Boulder. The local median household income is $87,493/yr, meaning the typical Boulder household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Boulder?

Rent in Boulder has decreased 2.1% over the past year as of July 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

Which Boulder neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Boulder are 80301 ($2,341/mo), 80303 ($2,369/mo), and 80302 ($2,373/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Boulder is $2,439/mo.

How does Boulder rent compare to other cities in Colorado?

Boulder is one of the pricier cities in Colorado for rent, ranking #19 out of 66 tracked cities at $2,439/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Boulder?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Boulder ($2,439/mo): Longmont ($1,961/mo), Arvada ($2,094/mo), Lafayette ($2,250/mo).

What percentage of Boulder residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 52.8% of Boulder households are renters, while 47.2% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Boulder has a strong rental market.

How does Boulder rent compare to the national average?

Boulder's median rent of $2,439/mo is $474 (24%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Colorado, it ranks #19 out of 66 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

33%

MODERATE

At $2,439/mo, rent takes ~33% of Boulder's median household income ($87,493/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Boulder 33%Benchmark 30%

State income tax4.4%

Run the Boulder affordability calculator →

Nearby cities