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City Report · CO

Clifton

Pop. 19,518·64th most expensive in Colorado·Clifton rents are up 12.2% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,332/mo
Year-over-Year
+12.2%
Month-over-Month
-2.8%
vs US Median
-$630
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Clifton · $1,332
More affordable than 86% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
31% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,332/mo, rent takes about 31% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$53,000/yr
Local median income
$52,100/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Clifton's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$840
1 BR
$930
2 BR
$1,200
3 BR
$1,680
4 BR+
$2,020
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,200/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,332 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
$15,984/yr
At $1,332/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 12.2% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+12.2% YoY, -2.8% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Clifton, CO is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 12.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
19,518
Median income
$52,100
Median age
36.3
Renters
26.6%
Age distribution
24.8%
22.3%
25.8%
15.2%
Under 1824.8%
18–3422.3%
35–5425.8%
55–6411.9%
65+15.2%
Gender
48.7%
51.3%
Male48.7%
Female51.3%
Race & ethnicity
73.7%
26.3%
White73.7%
Hispanic26.3%
Asian0.5%
Education (25+)
15.5%
35.6%
36.2%
12.7%
No HS diploma15.5%
HS diploma35.6%
Some college36.2%
Bachelor's+12.7%
Housing tenure
73.4%
26.6%
Owner73.4%
Renter26.6%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Clifton, CO has changed in 5 years

Income
$49,350 → $52,100
up 5.6%
Population
20,122 → 19,518
down 3.0%
Renter share
32.7% → 26.6%
-6.1 pts
Bachelor's+
11.6% → 12.7%
+1.1 pts
Median age
33.6 → 36.3
+2.7 yrs

On the earnings side, the typical household in Clifton, CO now reports about $52,100, up from $49,350 in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 20,122 to 19,518 between 2021 and 2024, a 3.0% change. About 26.6% of households rent today, against 32.7% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about Clifton

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

Can you afford rent in Clifton on your salary?

At $1,332/mo, how Clifton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Clifton rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Clifton

About renting in Clifton, CO

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Clifton is $1,332/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $840/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,200/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $930/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,680/mo.

At 31% of local median household income ($52,100/yr), Clifton ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 12.2% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Clifton an affordable city for renters?

Clifton is considered moderate for renters. At $1,332/mo, rent takes approximately 31% of the local median household income ($52,100/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Clifton slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Clifton?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $53,000/year (~$25/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,332/mo in Clifton. The local median household income is $52,100/yr, meaning the typical Clifton household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Clifton?

Rent in Clifton has increased 12.2% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Clifton rent compare to other cities in Colorado?

Clifton is one of the more affordable cities in Colorado for rent, ranking #64 out of 67 tracked cities at $1,332/mo.

What percentage of Clifton residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 26.6% of Clifton households are renters, while 73.4% are owner-occupied. Clifton leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Clifton rent compare to the national average?

Clifton's median rent of $1,332/mo is $630 (32%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Colorado, it ranks #64 out of 67 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
31%
MODERATE

At $1,332/mo, rent takes ~31% of Clifton's median household income ($52,100/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Clifton 31%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.4%
Run the Clifton affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Clifton, CO

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