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City Report · CO

Carbondale

Pop. 6,637·2nd most expensive in Colorado·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$3,715/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
-7.9%
vs US Median
+$1,753
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Carbondale · $3,715
More expensive than 97% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
41% of income
STRETCHED
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $3,715/mo, rent takes about 41% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$149,000/yr
Local median income
$108,324/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Carbondale's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,650
1 BR
$1,730
2 BR
$2,250
3 BR
$3,020
4 BR+
$3,340
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,250/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,715 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: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$44,580/yr
At $3,715/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 0.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.0% YoY, -7.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Carbondale, CO is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 53% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
6,637
Median income
$108,324
Median age
43.7
Renters
36.3%
Age distribution
16.7%
19.2%
37.1%
19.9%
Under 1816.7%
18–3419.2%
35–5437.1%
55–647.1%
65+19.9%
Gender
52.8%
47.2%
Male52.8%
Female47.2%
Race & ethnicity
74%
21.1%
White74%
Black1.3%
Hispanic21.1%
Asian1.6%
Other2%
Education (25+)
12.4%
27.6%
53%
No HS diploma12.4%
HS diploma7%
Some college27.6%
Bachelor's+53%
Housing tenure
63.7%
36.3%
Owner63.7%
Renter36.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Carbondale, CO has changed in 5 years

Income
$86,321 → $108,324
up 25.5%
Population
6,464 → 6,637
up 2.7%
Renter share
41% → 36.3%
-4.7 pts
Bachelor's+
49.7% → 53%
+3.3 pts
Median age
42 → 43.7
+1.7 yrs

Census figures show median household income at $108,324 today, compared with $86,321 five years earlier. Headcount in the area went from 6,464 to 6,637 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.7% change. About 36.3% of households rent today, against 41% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 49.7% to 53%.

Community

Discussions about Carbondale

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

Can you afford rent in Carbondale on your salary?

At $3,715/mo, how Carbondale rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Carbondale rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Carbondale

About renting in Carbondale, CO

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Carbondale is $3,715/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,650/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,250/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,730/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,020/mo.

At 41% of local median household income ($108,324/yr), Carbondale ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rent prices have stayed steady over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Carbondale an affordable city for renters?

Carbondale is considered stretched for renters. At $3,715/mo, rent takes approximately 41% of the local median household income ($108,324/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Carbondale significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in Carbondale?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $149,000/year (~$72/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,715/mo in Carbondale. The local median household income is $108,324/yr, meaning the typical Carbondale household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Carbondale?

Rent in Carbondale has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.0% change year over year as of August 2026.

How does Carbondale rent compare to other cities in Colorado?

Carbondale is one of the pricier cities in Colorado for rent, ranking #2 out of 67 tracked cities at $3,715/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Carbondale?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Carbondale ($3,715/mo): Glenwood Springs ($2,429/mo), Eagle ($2,752/mo).

What percentage of Carbondale residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 36.3% of Carbondale households are renters, while 63.7% are owner-occupied. Carbondale leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Carbondale rent compare to the national average?

Carbondale's median rent of $3,715/mo is $1,753 (89%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Colorado, it ranks #2 out of 67 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
41%
STRETCHED

At $3,715/mo, rent takes ~41% of Carbondale's median household income ($108,324/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Carbondale 41%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.4%
Run the Carbondale affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Carbondale, CO

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