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City Report · CO

Cortez

Pop. 8,976·56th most expensive in Colorado·Cortez rents are up 7.8% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,746/mo
Year-over-Year
+7.8%
Month-over-Month
+11.4%
vs US Median
-$216
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Cortez · $1,746
More affordable than 57% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
39% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,746/mo, rent takes about 39% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$70,000/yr
Local median income
$54,247/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Cortez's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$910
1 BR
$910
2 BR
$1,200
3 BR
$1,470
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 $1,746 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
$20,952/yr
At $1,746/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 7.8% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+7.8% YoY, +11.4% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
8,976
Median income
$54,247
Median age
36.4
Renters
34.4%
Age distribution
23.4%
24.4%
21.7%
19.8%
Under 1823.4%
18–3424.4%
35–5421.7%
55–6410.7%
65+19.8%
Gender
47.5%
52.5%
Male47.5%
Female52.5%
Race & ethnicity
67.6%
19.7%
12.1%
White67.6%
Hispanic19.7%
Asian0.5%
Other12.1%
Education (25+)
32.7%
29.6%
26.6%
No HS diploma11.1%
HS diploma32.7%
Some college29.6%
Bachelor's+26.6%
Housing tenure
65.6%
34.4%
Owner65.6%
Renter34.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How Cortez, CO has changed in 5 years

Income
$51,924 → $54,247
up 4.5%
Population
8,742 → 8,976
up 2.7%
Renter share
40% → 34.4%
-5.6 pts
Bachelor's+
33.3% → 26.6%
-6.7 pts
Median age
37.9 → 36.4
-1.5 yrs

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%.

Community

Discussions about Cortez

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

Can you afford rent in Cortez on your salary?

At $1,746/mo, how Cortez rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Cortez rent by bedroom count

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

Local insights

Tips for renters in Cortez

About renting in Cortez, CO

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Cortez is $1,746/mo as of August 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 7.8% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Cortez an affordable city for renters?

Cortez is considered moderate for renters. At $1,746/mo, rent takes approximately 39% of the local median household income ($54,247/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Cortez slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Cortez?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $70,000/year (~$34/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,746/mo in Cortez. The local median household income is $54,247/yr, meaning the typical Cortez household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Cortez?

Rent in Cortez has increased 7.8% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Cortez rent compare to other cities in Colorado?

Cortez is one of the more affordable cities in Colorado for rent, ranking #56 out of 67 tracked cities at $1,746/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Cortez?

Farmington is nearby and more affordable at $1,304/mo, which is $442 less than Cortez.

What percentage of Cortez residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 34.4% of Cortez households are renters, while 65.6% are owner-occupied. Cortez leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Cortez rent compare to the national average?

Cortez's median rent of $1,746/mo is $216 (11%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Colorado, it ranks #56 out of 67 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
39%
MODERATE

At $1,746/mo, rent takes ~39% of Cortez's median household income ($54,247/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Cortez 39%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.4%
Run the Cortez affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Cortez, CO

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