1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Boulder, CO
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Boulder, Colorado as of July 2026. That's +25% lower than the citywide median of $2,439 and +30% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Boulder
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Boulder
Compare Boulder's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Colorado
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alamosa | $790 |
| 2 | Sterling | $790 |
| 3 | Montrose | $880 |
| 4 | Cortez | $910 |
| 5 | Clifton | $930 |
| 6 | Pueblo | $1,013 |
| 7 | Rifle | $1,060 |
| 8 | Grand Junction | $1,110 |
| 9 | Manitou Springs | $1,110 |
| 10 | Greeley | $1,195 |
| 11 | Fruita | $1,230 |
| 12 | Glenwood Springs | $1,230 |
| 13 | Vail | $1,231 |
| 14 | Granby | $1,240 |
| 15 | Evans | $1,260 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Colorado
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Highlands Ranch | $2,370 |
| 2 | Morrison | $2,180 |
| 3 | Peyton | $2,130 |
| 4 | Greenwood Village | $2,110 |
| 5 | Commerce City | $2,110 |
| 6 | Superior | $2,100 |
| 7 | Lone Tree | $2,050 |
| 8 | Thornton | $2,048 |
| 9 | Castle Rock | $2,040 |
| 10 | Evergreen | $2,030 |
| 11 | Erie | $2,030 |
| 12 | Littleton | $2,025 |
| 13 | Parker | $2,010 |
| 14 | Broomfield | $2,010 |
| 15 | Monument | $1,990 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Boulder.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Boulder |
|---|---|---|---|
| Superior, CO | 8 mi | $2,100 | +$282 (+16%) |
| Louisville, CO | 8.6 mi | $1,970 | +$152 (+8%) |
| Lafayette, CO | 11.4 mi | $1,770 | $-48 (-3%) |
| Longmont, CO | 14.6 mi | $1,660 | $-158 (-9%) |
| Arvada, CO | 15.5 mi | $1,983 | +$165 (+9%) |
| Broomfield, CO | 16 mi | $2,010 | +$192 (+11%) |
| Golden, CO | 16.5 mi | $1,840 | +$22 (+1%) |
| Erie, CO | 16.5 mi | $2,030 | +$212 (+12%) |
| Westminster, CO | 18 mi | $1,814 | $-4 (0%) |
| Wheat Ridge, CO | 20.2 mi | $1,660 | $-158 (-9%) |
| Northglenn, CO | 20.5 mi | $1,606 | $-212 (-12%) |
| Federal Heights, CO | 20.6 mi | $1,660 | $-158 (-9%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Boulder — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Boulder?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Boulder, Colorado is $1,818 per month. This is +25% below the citywide median of $2,439.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Boulder?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $72,720 ($6,060/month gross), which works out to roughly $34.96/hour at a full-time job.
Is Boulder expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Boulder's 1-bedroom median of $1,818 is +30% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 75th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Boulder rank for 1-bedroom rent in Colorado?
Among the 65 cities in Colorado with 1-bedroom data, Boulder ranks #43 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Boulder?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Lafayette ($1,770), Longmont ($1,660), Westminster ($1,814).