At $4,150/mo, rent takes about 46% of the local median household income, well above the 30% benchmark.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $4,150 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
30% of the median household income ($108,324) is $2,708 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($2,250); a 3-bedroom is $3,020.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Carbondale. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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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.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Carbondale, CO has changed in 5 years
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%.
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Can you afford rent in Carbondale on your salary?
At $4,150/mo, how Carbondale rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Carbondale rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Carbondale. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Carbondale
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Carbondale is $4,150/mo as of October 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 46% 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.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Carbondale?
How does Carbondale rent compare to other cities in Colorado?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Carbondale?
At $4,150/mo, rent takes ~46% of Carbondale's median household income ($108,324/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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