At $1,747/mo, rent takes about 39% of the local median household income, slightly 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 $1,747 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
Rent in Cortez changed +4.1% over the year to September 2026. Across the 60 Colorado cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +1.4%.
Rent rose in 9 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($54,247) is $1,356 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($1,200); a 3-bedroom is $1,470.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Cortez. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
Who lives here
Cortez, CO is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 26.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Cortez, CO has changed in 5 years
Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $51,924 in 2021 to $54,247 more recently. Headcount in the area went from 8,742 to 8,976 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.7% change. About 34.4% of households rent today, against 40% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher slipped from 33.3% to 26.6%.
Discussions about Cortez
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Cortez on your salary?
At $1,747/mo, how Cortez rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Cortez rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Cortez. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Cortez
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Cortez is $1,747/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $910/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,200/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $910/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,470/mo.
At 39% of local median household income ($54,247/yr), Cortez ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.1% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
How much income do you need to rent in Cortez?
Is rent going up or down in Cortez?
How does Cortez rent compare to other cities in Colorado?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Cortez?
At $1,747/mo, rent takes ~39% of Cortez's median household income ($54,247/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Cortez.
No discussions yet.